KARACHI: Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) achieved a “historic high level of cooperation” in 2021 with over $2.3 billion committed by the multilateral development bank, its country director for Pakistan, Yong Ye, said on Friday.

“This reflects our enduring partnership with Pakistan,” Mr Ye said in his New Year video message posted on Twitter. He said that despite the challenge posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, Pakistan continued to make impressive progress and carry out robust economic, fiscal and structural reforms.

“ADB, guided by its new country partnership strategy, looks forward to deepening its support for Pakistan,” he said, adding that the bank would continue its support for Pakistan’s pandemic response through vaccination, social protection, public sector management, climate resilience, competitiveness and private sector development.

“As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, I urge all of you to stay safe and [get vaccinated] if you have not. Vaccines do work. [They] will reduce chances for infections and the possibility of having severe symptoms,” he added.

Published in Dawn, January 1st, 2022