ISLAMABAD: Asian Development Bank Vice-President Shixin Chen has reiterated ADB’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s economic recovery from the Covid pandemic and the country’s development agenda.

In a statement issued on Saturday at the end of his five-day visit to Pakistan, Mr Chen said 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 testament to this.

“As one of Pakistan’s largest development partners, the ADB has taken swift actions to support Pakistan’s vaccination and social protection efforts, and external financing requirements, Mr Chen said.

“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,” the ADB vice-president said.

During his stay, Mr Chen met Prime Minister Imran Khan, key ministers, and other senior government officials.

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

Mr 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.

Published in Dawn, March 20th, 2022