Thiruvananthapuram: The World Bank has announced that its engagement with the state will be a development partnership rather than merely a project-funding association--a first for the bank in the country in the last several years.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters after the Kerala Rebuild Initiative conclave that the World Bank was willing to invest in a growing, citizen-centric and a more capable Kerala where capacities of the delivery agencies would be enhanced.
The conclave saw ADB, JICA, AFD, KfW and New Development Bank committing to fund the Rebuild Kerala Development Plan. The exact amounts and sectors will be finalised based on further discussions with the departments. Tata Trust, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and IDFC Foundation also agreed to support the state through specific projects and also in strengthening the implementation capability of various departments. NABRD and HUDCO agreed to provide assistance in urban water supply, roads and infrastructure.
Mr Vijayan outlined the multi-sector approach to development, laying thrust on environment-friendly rebuild programme. There would be a strong disaster reduction management mechanism, factoring in weather changes.
The rebuild plan comprises almost all key sectors, especially farming, irrigation, drinking water supply, hygiene and sanitation tourism, village roads, traffic management, livelihood assistance, empowering Kudumbashree women to take up enterprises, land conservation and melding farm and water needs. Additional skill acquisition programme for youth is another key component of the Rebuild Initiative.
