RIYADH, 25 February — The Saudi Development Fund, which has in the past extended soft loans to India for four development projects, could be tapped again for a credit line in rebuilding earthquake-stricken Gujarat if a proposal now in the works goes through.
"We are examining the possibility of approaching SDF for its assistance in the Gujarat government's reconstruction program," said India's Ambassador Talmiz Ahmad.
The Al-Haramain Charitable Foundation has donated SR100,000 as its first installment toward the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.
Ahmad said the Foundation had made it clear that the donation was to help in rehabilitating the quake victims irrespective of their creed. The west Indian state needs an estimated 150 billion rupees (over SR12 billion) for the reconstruction program. Ahmad said the seven International Indian schools in the Kingdom with a combined strength of 32,000 students had collected six million rupees. The British school in Riyadh contributed SR6,630.
The embassy also received 642,000 rupees in donation from the management and staff of Saudi Catering and Contracting, a major Riyadh-based catering company that has a work force of over 5,000 employees of various nationalities. Contributions were also received from Gulf Stevedoring & Contracting of Alkhobar, where a large number of Indians are employed.
Thanking the students, teachers, parents and the private sector for their help, the ambassador said: "Their initiative is highly appreciated. They rose to the occasion in our hour of crisis and volunteered to collect donations in cash and kind on their own. Funds are still pouring in as part of an ongoing process."
Referring to the move to approach the SDF for aid, he said the fund had previously extended soft loans for the development of road, railroad and two power projects in India.
"We have not yet formally approached them, but it is an idea that has emerged in India. The SDF has a good track record in terms of providing development assistance. So we are examining the possibility of approaching the Saudi fund to participate in the revival of economic activity in Gujarat, so that economic life is regenerated."
He said funds are urgently needed for the rebuilding of roads, railroad, power lines and housing. In addition to these priority areas, financial assistance is also required for the reconstruction of commercial and industrial establishments damaged in the quake. These projects will be included in the list which the embassy is preparing, he added.
The ambassador announced that Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah would lead a 15-member Haj delegation. More than 100,000 Indians will perform Haj this year. Under the quota system, the country is allowed to send up to 120,000 pilgrims.
Ahmad thanked Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, and Dr. Khaled Bakr, director general of Saudi Arabian Airlines, for approving the transportation of the Indian pilgrims this year. "I feel proud in playing a role in the resumption of Saudia's Haj flights," the ambassador said.
Saudia is transporting 20,500 Indian pilgrims this year after a gap of nearly 10 years. Saudia will also, for the first time, use Madinah Airport as a departure point for 15,000 Indian pilgrims for their return flight.
