ADB reiterates support for post-Covid recovery

Asian Development Bank (ADB) Vice President Shixin Chen has reiterated the bank’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and the country’s development agenda.

During his five-day visit to Pakistan, Chen met with Prime Minister Imran Khan, key ministers, and other senior government officials, a statement issued by the ADB said on Saturday.

Chen discussed ADB’s ongoing and emerging areas of support in meetings with Minister for Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin, Minister for Economic Affairs and ADB Governor Omar Ayub; Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar; Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam; Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Muhammad Jehanzeb Khan; and Benazir Income Support Programme Secretary Ismat Tahira among others.

Read: ‘ADB’s support different from IMF’

“The people of Pakistan have shown remarkable resilience in the face of Covid-19 and the country’s rapidly building momentum towards economic recovery is a testament to this,” Chen said. “As one of Pakistan’s largest development partners, ADB has taken swift actions to support Pakistan’s vaccination and social protection efforts, and external financing requirements. We will continue to work with the government, private sector, and other partners to further develop green, resilient, and quality infrastructure; enact reforms; and strengthen key sectors vital to the country’s growth.”

Chen visited the National Power Control Centre in Islamabad where he was briefed about the country’s power load management system and its expansion plans under an ADB financing facility. He visited a basic health unit near Islamabad that has been fitted with solar panels under ADB’s Access to Clean Energy Programme, which has so far provided solar facilities to over 10,700 schools and more than 700 basic health units in mostly remote, off-grid areas. Chen also visited the Ehsaas One Window Centre in Islamabad for beneficiaries of Pakistan’s flagship social protection programme.

Chen also met Punjab Finance Minister Hashim Jawan Bakht and Planning and Development Board Chairman M Abdullah Khan Sumbal among other senior officials. He discussed ADB’s support in strengthening private sector participation with Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Mian Nauman Kabir.

With input from DNA