$20b WB lending may be insufficient

The World Bank Vice President for South Asia, Martin Raiser, emphasised on Tuesday that the $20 billion lending will be insufficient to achieve the 10 years' development goals, and Pakistan will have to mobilise more resources to overcome its challenges. In a statement issued after the week-long visit by Raiser to Pakistan, the regional vice president appeared to strike a balance between the optimism created by the $20 billion worth Country Partnership Framework and Pakistan's actual financing needs to overcome the human capital crisis. "The World Bank Group's support will not be sufficient to achieve the ambitious targets set forth. Attracting private sector investment by improving the business climate is thus the need of the hour," said Raiser in a statement issued by the country office after the end of the visit.