ISLAMABAD
\nAsian Development Bank (ADB) Vice-President Shixin Chen during his five-day visit to Pakistan, reiterated ADB\u2019s commitment to supporting Pakistan\u2019s economic recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and the country\u2019s development agenda.
\nDuring his visit, Mr Chen met with Prime Minister Imran Khan, key ministers, and other senior government officials, said a press release issued by the ADB on Saturday.
\nMr. Chen discussed ADB\u2019s ongoing and emerging areas of support in meetings with Minister for Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tareen; Minister for Economic Affairs and ADB Governor Omar Ayub; Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar; Prime Minister\u2019s Special Assistant on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam; Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Muhammad Jehanzeb Khan; and Secretary Benazir Income Support Programme Ismat Tahira among others.
\n\u201cThe people of Pakistan have shown remarkable resilience in the face of COVID-19 and the country\u2019s rapidly building momentum towards economic recovery is testament to this,\u201d said Mr. Chen. \u201cAs one of Pakistan\u2019s largest development partners, ADB has taken swift actions to support Pakistan\u2019s 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\u2019s growth.\u201d
\nMr. Chen visited the National Power Control Center in Islamabad where he was briefed about the country\u2019s 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\u2019s Access to Clean Energy Program, 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. Mr. Chen also visited the Ehsaas One Window Center in Islamabad for beneficiaries of Pakistan\u2019s flagship social protection program.
\nMr. Chen also met Punjab provincial Finance Minister Makhdum Hashim Jawan Bakht and Planning and Development Board Chairman M. Abdullah Khan Sumbal among other senior officials. He discussed ADB\u2019s support in strengthening private sector participation with Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Mian Nauman Kabir. Since 1966, ADB has committed over $36?billion in loans, grants, and other forms of financing to promote inclusive economic growth in Pakistan and improve the country\u2019s infrastructure, energy and food security, transport networks, and social services. ADB and Pakistan\u2019s country partnership strategy, 2021\u20132025 focuses on three priorities: improving economic management, building resilience, and boosting competitiveness and private sector development.
\nADB\u2019s assistance helps improve macroeconomic management and resilience, and infrastructure and urban sector investments that support rural connectivity and urban services. The bank\u2019s support for public\u2013private partnerships and improved access to finance has boosted competitiveness and private sector development.
\nGoing forward, ADB will support an enabling environment for digital transformation through policy improvements and strengthening public institutions and relevant infrastructure. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD Asian Development Bank (ADB) Vice-President Shixin Chen during his five-day visit to Pakistan, reiterated ADB\u2019s commitment to supporting Pakistan\u2019s economic recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and the country\u2019s development agenda. During his visit, Mr Chen met with Prime Minister Imran Khan, key ministers, and other senior government officials, said a press release […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":228072,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[997,191,830,649,1319],"class_list":{"0":"post-250305","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-business","8":"tag-adb","9":"tag-covid-19","10":"tag-pakistan-post","11":"tag-recovery","12":"tag-support"},"yoast_head":"\n