KABUL (SW): The Ministry of Finance (MoF) and French Embassy in Kabul on Monday inked amendments to 61.5 million Euros grants agreements to support agriculture sector, access to energy and healthcare in Kapisa Province and Surobi district of Kabul province.
Finance Minister Eklil Hakimi and François Richier, French Ambassador to Afghanistan, signed the agreements. The Afghan government has pledged to contribute up to 3 million Euros for these projects. This grant agreement was signed at the presence of representatives of people Kapisa and Surobi district of Kabul province in Wolesi Jirga (lower house). Hakimi thanked the French government for its generous assistance. “These sectors are among priority sectors to boost economy and provide better services to the public”, he said.
Hakimi said up to 41 per cent of the grant would be used on lifting agriculture and livestock sectors. He mentioned the 20.7 million Euros (34%) under these grants would be spent on financing of medium voltage transmission lines with a length of 44 km from Mahmood Raqi to Najrab and Tagab, and 40 km high voltage line between Najrab and Naghlou.
The French Ambassador underlined that the friendship between France and Afghanistan is nearly a century old, and France would continue to support Afghanistan.
The grants are likely to benefit thousands of Afghans in the Kapisa and Sarobi. 9.7 million Euros are allocated to build or refurbish 3 district hospitals in Najrab, Tagab and Alasay, and to undertake construction and renovation works in Mahmood Raqi provincial hospital. Training and provision of medical equipment are also part of the program. 4 Million Euros are allocated to education sector.
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