ADB country director calls on Hammad Azhar, discusses key priority areas
The minister acknowledged the ADBs support for Pakistan
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Asian Development Bank (ADB) Country Director Ms. Xiaohong Yang on Thursday called on Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Muhammad Hammad Azhar.
During the meeting Ms Yang congratulated Hammad Azhar on his appointment as Federal Minister.
The minister acknowledged the ADB’s support for Pakistan and discussed key priority areas and new avenues for future interventions.
He reiterated that the government was keen to explore innovative financing models and mobilize investment in infrastructure & social sectors, adding that these initiatives will not only provide fiscal space to the government but also help boost economic activities in the country.
He also urged the ADB to scale up its lending to Pakistan including programme lending and project financing.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms Yang said that ADB and Pakistan had successfully met many development challenges. She assured the minister of the Bank’s support in the priority sectors as identified by the present government.
The director also briefed the Azhar on ADB’s ongoing interventions and pipeline projects. She updated the Minister about the ADB’s Programme Lending and Special Policy-Based Loan including Trade & Competitiveness Programme, Energy Sector Resilience Programme and Capital Market Reforms Program.
The ADB is committed to expanding this partnership to increase prosperity of the people of Pakistan, she said and thanked the Minister and reiterated ADB’s commitment to further strengthen and expand its partnership with Pakistan.
