An agreement for IBRD Credit of USD 40 Million from World Bank for “U.P. Pro-Poor Tourism Development Project” was signed by Shri Sameer Kumar Khare, Joint Secretary (MI), Department of Economic Affairs on behalf of the Government of India and Mr. John Blomquist, Acting Country Director of the World Bank (India). The Implementing Entity Agreement was signed by Director General and Principal Secretary, Tourism on behalf of Government of Uttar Pradesh, and the Acting Country Director (India) on behalf of the World Bank.

The programme size is approximately USD 57.14 million, of which USD 40 million will be financed by the Bank, and the remaining amount will be funded out of State Budget. The programme duration is 5 years.

The Project Objective is to increase tourism-related benefits for local communities in targeted destinations. The project is expected to have far-reaching social, economic and environmental benefits by targeting local communities and entrepreneurs near some of the main tourist and pilgrimage attractions in Uttar Pradesh, namely, Agra as well as Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana and Govardhan in the Braj region.

Loan agreement for pro-poor tourism increases tourism-related benefits for local communities in targeted destinations through state and international financing partners. A IBRD Credit Agreement was signed by the Government of India and the World Bank, with an Implementing Entity Agreement between the Government of Uttar Pradesh and the Bank. The financing combines Bank credit and State budget contributions to support a multi-year programme aimed at increasing tourism-related benefits for local communities and entrepreneurs in selected pilgrimage and tourist destinations through targeted investments and capacity-building.