The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is likely to provide financial assistance of $262 million for improving the border crossing points (BCP) of Wagah, Chaman and Torkham.
An official source said the ADB had completed the initial study for the improving the three BCPs under its regional improving border services project. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is the executing agency for the project.
According to July 2014 estimates, the project cost for Wagah Border Improvement Project is estimated at $ 93.65 million, Chaman Border Improvement Project at $ 88.4 million and Torkham Border Improvement Project is estimated at US $ 80.02 million.
Pakistan had requested the ADB to finance the border services improvement project to provide better services at the three BCPs which are facing significant economic and security obstacles which greatly impede the achievement of the desired development outcomes.
All these BCP lacks the necessary facilities and equipment to serve as efficient regional transport corridors. The BCP can no longer process the current volumes of export, import and transit cargo and pedestrians. Under this background, the primary objective of the project is to provide both structural and non-structural interventions to address the inadequacies that are restricting trade operation and hampering full potential of the transit trade. By improving the BCP, it is expected that the project will enhance the economic growth and reduce poverty in the area.
The ADB study finds all the three BCP lacked the necessary facilities and equipment to serve as efficient regional transport corridors and they can no longer process the current volumes of export, import and transit cargo and pedestrians. The implementation of the proposed improvement works which involve earth and civil works is not expected to generate significant environmental impacts.
Under the proposed improvement project, the works consist of developmental works, buildings and accommodations. The goods consist of the provision of short-and long-term equipment and system for data connectivity Marshal Reporting Console (MRC), Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Information Technology (IT).
It is important to mention that Pakistan is strategically located in the heart of Asia and has the competitive economic potential to become regional trade hub between China, India, Afghanistan and other Central Asian States. Pakistan is already a member of CAREC, which is working to facilitate interregional trade between South and Central Asia. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor is also under implementation which will provide a shorter link to China.
