A high-level Austrian delegation visited the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) headquarters in Karsaz on Wednesday, expressing keen interest in collaborating with the World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank on potential projects of KWSC.
A delegation consisting of Austrian Trade Commissioner for Pakistan Johannes Brenner, CEO of Hydrofill Gerald Eder, Nauman Khan, Usman Moinuddin and Hamudur Rehman met KWSC CEO Engineer Syed Salahuddin Ahmed.
Ahmed highlighted the recent reforms and initiatives undertaken by the new KWSC management which have been recognized globally. He also briefed the delegation about KWSC’s roadmap for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6, which focuses on clean water and sanitation.
KWSC officials discussed the need for a $4 billion investment to improve Karachi’s water and sewerage infrastructure, as identified in the Karachi Diagnostic Study. He noted that the Sindh government and the World Bank had signed an agreement in 2019 to invest $1.6 billion over 12 years under the Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP), but another $2.4 billion There are still requirements that will be achieved through this. Alternative financing and stronger public-private partnerships.
The delegation appreciated KWSC’s short, medium and long-term vision, and its comprehensive, multi-sectoral roadmap for sustainable development. The delegation expressed optimism about the feasibility of projects such as the establishment of water filtration plants, renewable energy-efficient infrastructure, and wastewater treatment and recycling, which will be subject to future detailed feasibility studies by Austrian investment campaigns and technical experts. and may be shared with the Engineering Directorate.
The delegation is likely to provide technical assistance to KWSC in its strategies to reduce non-revenue water and increase the capacity of its existing staff. Also highlighted. He expressed confidence in the potential of KWSC to become one of the leading water supply facilities in the region.
The delegation noted that just as Austrian investment companies have ventured into the region, viable projects could be initiated for KWSSIP-2 with WB support taking into account the potential of KWSC.
The visit concluded with the delegation visiting the state-of-the-art Hydrant Management and Monitoring Center of KWSC. He appreciated the efforts of the administration in developing this facility despite the difficult geo-political environment in Karachi. It was noted that this was the first time in the city’s recorded history that an Austrian delegation approached a water utility organization for investment purposes, a significant achievement for KWSC. Observers have remarked that since the transformation of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board into the WSC, confidence in the new management and board of directors has been restored, prompting visits by international financial institutions and foreign diplomats alike. And the recognition is achieved.