ISLAMABAD: The rapid pace of urbanisation and population growth and urban infrastructure are the priority areas. Further, efficient roads and digital networks are fundamental to employment and growth, a senior government official said.
Meeting with John Hurley, USA’s alternative executive director at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Board, Federal Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar welcomed him on his first official visit to Pakistan and expressed his gratitude to the ADB management for efficiently processing and successfully procuring Covid-19 vaccines to support the government’s national vaccination drive.
During the meeting, various infrastructure, energy, disaster management and climate resilience, urban services, social services education, Ehsaas Programme and health-related projects being funded by the ADB came under discussion.
Umar said that climate change was one of the top priorities of the government, adding that there was a need to enhance the capacity of the National Disaster and Risk Management Fund (NDRMF) to effectively tackle calamities occurring throughout the country. The board of NDRMF has been changed and the new chief executive is also expected to join soon, who will jointly work with the ADB to revisit the portfolio of NDRMF and access other global climate change funds through it.
Hurley thanked the planning minister for a warm welcome and reiterated the ADB’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s reform agendas undertaken by the present government.
He also acknowledged the efforts made by Pakistan for effective management of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The ADB is fully committed to providing assistance to the developing countries for the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines.
He highlighted that Pakistan’s efforts to curtail the Covid-19 pandemic had minimised indigenous economic shock up to a great extent.
The two leaders also deliberated upon the new possibilities of economic cooperation in the post-Covid situation.
Hurley reiterated the ADB’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s reform agenda, especially within the energy and financial markets sectors, and to speed up the economic recovery process.
Planning Commission Deputy Chairman, Public Private Partnership Authority CEO Yong Ye, ADB country director and senior officials attended the meeting.
