Govt. priorities to determine ADB's assistance package
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has said financial assistance to Nepal's reconstruction and peace process would be based on the priority agendas set out by the interim government.
Talking to media persons in the capital on Monday, the ADB's Deputy Director General for South Asia Sultan Hafeez Rahman said the bank is waiting for the detailed programme priorities of the government to determine the areas that ADB can extend support.
He hinted an increment in assistance to Nepal for the transitional period but did not specify the amount the bank would be able to provide.
He stressed the need for lasting peace and political stability in the country for economic growth and social transformation, which he said, is being paved since the signing of peace accord between the government and the Maoists on November 22.
He highlighted the need for effective implementation of the agreement with vision and responsibility from the leaders who were instrumental in reaching the agreement.
Rahman said ADB's assistance to Nepal would be determined by the development priorities set out by the government for economic and social transformation rather than type of political system that exists in the country.
He said ADB is ready to provide financial assistance needed for the peace process but demanded that the government must come up with the detailed programmes on which areas the assistance is required. Answering a question on how the ADB would react to the finance minister's appeal for more donations for cantonments of the Maoist combatants, Rahman said the ADB does not have plans for support in that particular field.
Rahman said an additional support package, some US$ 170 million already in pipeline for the year 2006, would be announce only after consultation with the government.
The ADB mission is currently in Nepal to discuss the support package.
ADB is one of the major donors to Nepal supporting in education, rural finance, road network and agriculture sectors. nepalnews.com ia Nov 27 06
