PM discusses ADB future projects in Sri Lanka with DG and new Country Director

Friday, 9 June 2023 05:01 -     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Director General for South Asia Kenichi  Yokoyama and newly appointed Country Director Takafumi Kadono held  discussions with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena yesterday in Colombo.

The Prime Minister, while welcoming the new Director General thanked the  outgoing D.G. Chen  for the support extended to Sri Lanka during the height of COVID  pandemic and the economic crisis.

He thanked the ADB for extending short term, immediate contingency support  which has helped Sri Lankan economy to recover from the unprecedented crisis  within a short period of time. ADB loan funds amounting to $ 380 million  were  targeted for enhancing fiscal space and efficient public financial management  system as well as strengthening the SME sector with access to finance. Further  $ 250 million  was obtained as budgetary support to develop Capital Market.

The Prime Minister made a special mention about ADB’s $ 333 million  emergency assistance to support import of essential items such as fertilizer,  medicines and chemicals for water treatment, working capital support to SMEs,  and cash transfer to most poor and vulnerable to mitigate the impact of economic  crisis.

Keinichi Yokohoma, praised the recovery made by Sri Lankan economy and  briefed the Prime Minister about the ADB’s mid-term and long-term projects for economic progress and infrastructure development. 

He explained ADB plans to provide assistances for a timeframe of four years.  Initial focus will be economic stability and social protection. Among others, a  special policy-based loan of  $ 350 million  is being processed from ADB. He said that structural reforms for recovery and growth to be stepped up year by year  under ADB assistance in close coordination with the IMF, World Bank, and other  development partners. 

Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake, Additional Secretary Mahinda  Gunaratne, Media Advisor Sugeeswara Senadhira and ADB Deputy Country  Director Utsav Kumar were also present at the discussion.

COMMENTS