Austrian delegation shows interest in investing in KWSC projects

A high-level delegation from Austria who visited the Karachi Water & Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) headquarters at Karsaz on Wednesday expressed keen interest in collaborating with the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank on potential projects for the KWSC.

The delegation comprising Austrian Trade Commissioner for Pakistan Johannes Brenner, Hydrofil CEO Gerald Eder, Noman Khan, Usman Moinuddin and Hamoodur Rehman met KWSC CEO Engr Syed Salahuddin Ahmed.

Ahmed highlighted recent reforms and initiatives undertaken by the KWSC’s new management that have been recognised globally. He also informed the delegation about the 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 water and sewerage infrastructure in Karachi, as identified in the Karachi Diagnostic Study. They noted that the Sindh government and the WB had signed a commitment of cooperation in 2019 under the Karachi Water & Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP) to invest $1.6 billion over 12 years, but an additional $2.4 billion is still required that must be sourced through alternative financing and strong public-private partnerships.

The delegation praised the KWSC’s short-, medium- and long-term visions, and its comprehensive, multi-sectoral roadmap for sustainable development. The delegation expressed optimism about the feasibility of projects such as establishing water filtration plants, renewable energy-efficient infrastructure, and wastewater treatment and recycling, which can be shared with Austrian investment campaigns and the technical & engineering directorate for detailed feasibility studies in the future.

The delegation also highlighted the possibility of providing technical assistance to the KWSC in its strategies to reduce non-revenue water and enhance the capacity of its existing staff. They expressed confidence in the KWSC’s potential to become one of the leading water supply facilities in the region.

The delegation noted that just as Austrian investment companies have stepped into the region, viable projects can be launched in collaboration with the WB for KWSSIP-2, considering the potential of the KWSC.

The visit concluded with the delegation touring the KWSC’s state-of-the-art Hydrant Management & Monitoring Centre. They commended the administration for its efforts in developing this facility despite the challenging geopolitical environment in Karachi. It was noted that this was the first time in the city’s recorded history that an Austrian delegation had approached a water utility organisation for investment purposes, marking a significant achievement for the KWSC. Observers have remarked that since the transformation of the Karachi Water & Sewerage Board into the KWSC, there has been renewed confidence in the new management and board of directors, attracting visits and recognition from international financial institutions and foreign diplomats alike.