Hailing the ADB for bringing about the ‘Asian Miracle’, Dar said, “The next millennium is the Asian millennium." The finance minister was addressing a panel during ADB's 50th annual meeting in Yokohama, Japan.
"There is huge potential for growth in Asia,” Dar added.
“ADB needs to play a political role in identifying issues which are not universal but country specific. So, I think there is a greater need of ADB engagement in policy, reform and structure level and on guiding the members,” Dar said while speaking at the panel discussion.
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The finance minister further said Asia is more connected with other parts of the world but it lacks intra-regional nexus. “Regional cooperation and coordination with ADB’s support is the aim for Asian countries,” Dar said.
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Lauding the efforts made by ADB in regional development, the minister said the bank is not fixated to a certain stance but it keeps adapting according to the changing environment which is conducive to progress.
The finance minister said during the three-day conference he will engage in bilateral and multi-lateral meetings with the prospective donors.
The ADB has committed to provide us $1.2b for the National Disaster Risk Management programme of the government, Dar said. Around $200m has already been released by the bank, he added.
ADB was conceived in the early 1960s as a financial institution that would help Asian countries in economic growth and cooperation.
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