Question : Development Projects in foreign Countries

(a) whether the Government has been undertaking any development projects in India neighboring countries including Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bangladesh, and in African countries in the last five years;

(b) if so, the details thereof including name of project, cost, starting and completion dates of the project and if not, the reasons thereof;

(c) whether the Government has awarded contracts to any private firms or companies to undertake India''s development projects in Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bangladesh;

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the names of the contractors'' project wise since 2014;

(e) whether the Government has a mechanism in place to award the implementation of India''s overseas development projects to private contractors; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) & (b) Under the Neighbourhood First Policy, development cooperation is an important component of our engagement with neighbouring countries. While undertaking these projects, Indian expertise is showcased in project planning and implementation in a wide range of areas covering both infrastructure development as well as socio-economic development. Developmental assistance to neighbouring countries is carried out mainly through Lines of Credit, Grant-in-aid & capacity building programs.

(i) Lines of Credit: Development assistance in the form of concessional Lines of Credit is extended by the Government of India under the Indian Development and Economic Assistance Scheme (IDEAS) through the Exim Bank of India. A total of 37 Lines of Credit worth USD 14.27 billion covering 162 projects have been extended to 5 countries in our neighbourhood namely, Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Another 222 Lines of Credit worth USD 14.07 billion covering 357 projects have been extended to 42 countries in Africa. These projects cover varied sectors like roads, railways, power, ports and shipping, telecom, health, education and aviation. Year- wise and country –wise project details (Lines of Credit) since 2017-18 (including completed/ongoing) are annexed as Appendix-1.

(ii) Grant-in-aid: Grant in Aid projects are also executed in our partner countries in the neighbourhood in areas such as railway links, roads and bridges, waterways, border-related infrastructure, capacity building, healthcare, agriculture and community development in the following countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Year- wise and country –wise project details (Grant –in Aid) since 2017-18(Including completed/ongoing) are annexed as Appendix-2.

(c) to (f) Lines of Credit; As mandated by the Indian Development and Economic Assistance Scheme (IDEAS) of 2022 approved by the Cabinet, the lending bank carries out the Pre-Qualification process for selection of Indian implementing agencies (consultants/contractors), including private companies, eligible for the project. Any Indian company can participate in such pre-qualification and tendering exercise for projects under Lines of Credit. The contract is awarded to the successful bidder by the borrowing government. The projects are then executed as per the contractual obligations and project milestones.

The selection of Indian Implementing Agencies for projects under Lines of Credit is done in accordance with the Cabinet-approved IDEAS guidelines issued by Ministry of Finance on 31 March 2022.

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