Address by
President Tadao Chino
Asian Development Bank

"Afghanistan: Rebuilding a Nation"

9 May 2002
Shanghai, PRC

Mr. Chairman, Excellencies, Distinguished Participants,

I am most pleased that today's special seminar on Afghanistan has been included in ADB's Annual Meeting. I am delighted to welcome the Honorable Hedayat Amin-Arsala, Finance Minister of Afghanistan, who will provide an overview of the prospects and opportunities for the rebuilding of his country.

I will keep my opening remarks short so that we have more time to listen to Minister Arsala and discuss the issues he raises in his presentation.

I would just like to make a few points before I give the floor to Minister Arsala.

The international community's pledge to help reconstruct Afghanistan must be fulfilled as effectively and efficiently as possible. Millions of lives are at stake. As we know, extreme poverty can breed despair and instability. Afghanistan has had far too much of both. We must show the Afghan people that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

The international donor community has been very responsive to Afghanistan's needs. ADB is at the forefront of this assistance, and is committed to providing $500 million in concessional loans and grants over the next two-and-a-half years.

Our assistance, and that of the donor community in general, must be provided in a manner that nurtures the spirit of the Afghan people. War and natural disasters have impoverished the nation, but they have not broken the indomitable spirit of the people. I am most impressed by developments over the past six months. Afghanistan's Interim Administration, under the leadership of Chairman Karzai, has made an excellent start to rebuilding the nation.

The enterprise and enthusiasm of the people to begin life anew is most impressive. On my recent visit to Kabul, I was struck by the energy evident everywhere. Private sector enterprises are flourishing - even though financial services and other requirements are so lacking.

Afghanistan has for centuries been a center of trade and commerce and a meeting point of great cultures and civilizations. The international community, including the many Afghans now living abroad, must help recreate the conditions for Afghanistan to play this role once again.

In supporting Afghanistan's reconstruction, we in the international community should balance what Afghanistan does not have with what it does have-such as the amazing spirit of its people. Minister Arsala, we look forward to your account of your country's needs, it's strategies for rebuilding the nation, and the opportunities for international participation. I am happy to assure you that ADB will be a steadfast friend and partner to the people of Afghanistan.

Thank you.