Secretary, EAD on behalf of Government of Pakistan and Australian High Commission, Government of Australia today signed a Subsidiary Arrangement relating to Indus Sustainable Development investment Portfolio (SDIP) Project

Secretary, Economic Affairs Division on behalf of Government of Pakistan and Australian High Commission, Government of Australia today signed a Subsidiary Arrangement relating to Indus Sustainable Development investment Portfolio (SDIP) Project for implementation in Pakistan by the Commonwealth Scientific and industrial Research Organization, Australia (CSIRO). The Arrangement is made pursuant to the terms of the Treaty on Development cooperation that came into force on 13 July 1991. The Project has an extended time frame; however, the initial phase will be implemented over two years with extension subject to delivery on outcomes.

The aim of this project is to enhance the capability of the GOP in the river basin planning and to develop a water management model of the Indus Basin.

The Indus River Basin is the main water resource sustaining Pakistan’s economy. It provides for Pakistan’s agricultural productivity, food and energy security. The 2012 Report of the Water Sector Taskforce Report (WSTR) of Friends of Democratic Pakistan indentified the need for improved seasonal flow forecasts and to develop an operational simulation model for the Indus Basin to make informed management and investment decisions. The Government of Australia through CSIRO is assisting Pakistan under this Arrangement in improving seasonal flow forecasts and implementing a daily river water management and operations model of Indus Basin using e-Water Source modeling platform.

Activities under this Arrangement also include training and capacity building of Pakistan River Modeling experts in Pakistan and Australia.

This program is being implemented by the Australia Government through CSIRO and the Government of Pakistan through Ministry of Water and Power and its key partners including Water and Power Authority (WAPDA), Indus River System Authority (IRSA), the Office of Pakistan Commission for Indus Water (PCIW), Pakistan Strategic Support Program, International Food Policy Research Institute (PSSP-IFPRI), chief Engineering Advisor (CEA), Chairman Federal Flood Commission (CFFC) and the National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK).