ISLAMABAD: The government of Japan has announced today to provide a concessional loan of 2.665 billion yen (approx 24 million USD) to the government of Pakistan for Islamabad and Burhan Transmission Line Reinforcement Project. The notes to this effect were signed and exchanged between Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan Takashi Kurai and Additional Secretary for Economic Affairs Division Amin Anjum Assad, the government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Nobuo Kishi and Federal Minister for Water and Power of Pakistan Khawaja Asif were also present on the occasion. In his remarks, Nobuo Kishi expressing high respect to the leadership of Pakistan stated that Khawaja Asif has been making serious effort towards the power sector reforms which are of crucial importance as a foundation for the overall development of Pakistan. He said that so far the government of Japan has been providing assistance to Pakistan in the power sector through the Energy Sector Reform Program and the National Transmission Lines and Grid Stations Strengthening Project. He remarked “I sincerely hope that this loan will not only contribute to bridging the current gap of supply and demand for electricity in Pakistan but will also to the further development of Pakistani economy as a whole.”