Kandahar governor urges WB to implement key development projects — Pajhwok

KANDAHAR CITY (Pajhwok): Kandahar Governor Mullah Mohammad Shirin Akhund has urged the World Bank to implement key development projects in Afghanistan, particularly in the southern province. He made the remarks during a meeting with World Bank Country Director for Afghanistan Faris Haddad-Zervos and Richard Trenchard, a representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), according to a statement from the governor’s office. Haddad-Zervos briefed the governor on the World Bank’s and FAO’s assistance and activities across Afghanistan. He said the World Bank had continued its operations in Afghanistan following the re-establishment of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA). He added that the World Bank funded all of the FAO’s financial activities and that the organization was active in health, humanitarian assistance, education, clean water and agriculture. He said joint efforts had also been launched with local officials to implement projects aimed at strengthening the private sector and creating employment opportunities. For his part, Mullah Shirin urged the World Bank to implement important and fundamental projects in Kandahar. He identified continued support for Mirwais Regional Hospital, construction of cold-storage facilities and check dams, marketing of fresh and dried fruits, and cultivation of alternative crops to narcotics as key areas requiring support. Mullah Shirin said Afghans had endured years of hardship and should be provided with basic and quality services.