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In this issue, read about ADB’s new projects for renewable energy and the People’s Republic of China’s aviation industry, what ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda has to say about political and economic regionalism in Asia vis-à-vis Europe, and news from ADB’s resident missions. Featured in this issue are innovative approaches to fighting HIV/AIDS in the PRC and Viet Nam. Also, find out the latest on ADB events, publications, opportunities, and operations.
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| ADB Makes First Foray into PRC's Airport Business |
ADB is making its first foray into the airport business in the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The proposed equity investment and loan for the Central and Western Airports Development Project will involve a $50 million equity investment from ADB in HNA Airport Holding (Group) Co. Ltd., a private company primarily invested in airports and airport operations. See the project information.
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| ADB President Attends Davos Summit and Visits ADB Annual Meeting Site in Spain |
President Haruhiko Kuroda attended the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2008, held from 23-27 January in Davos, Switzerland, where he held bilateral discussions with senior government officials and business leaders. From Davos, the President traveled to Madrid, Spain where he had an audience with King Juan Carlos and met with the Minister for Economic Affairs and other senior officials. He addressed business leaders and think tanks and reviewed arrangements for ADB's 41st Annual Meeting in May. Read his speeches at the Instituto de Empresa, at the Real Instituto Elcano, and at the IFEMA Convention Center where the Annual Meeting will be held.
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ADB Prices US$1 Billion 3-Year Global Bond Issue |
| ADB returned to the US dollar bond market in January with the pricing of a $1 billion three-year global benchmark bond issue, proceeds of which will be part of the bank’s ordinary capital resources used in its non-concessional operations. |
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Baiyin in the People's Republic of China is being transformed into an industrial center through the $161.53 million Gansu Baiyin Urban Development Project, which includes an $80 million loan from ADB. See the project information. |
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A $350 million loan will improve urban infrastructure and services in 31 towns and cities in India's mountainous northern state of Uttarakhand, one of the country's top tourist destinations. See the project information. |
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An $8 million grant for the Education Sector Program Cluster Subprogram II will help take Nepal's school system into the next stages of reform and restructuring. See the project information. |
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ADB and its development partners are providing more than $190 million to help Bangladesh recover from 2007's devastating floods and cyclone. ADB will extend a $120 million equivalent and a $200,000 technical assistance grant. See the project information. |
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| Viet Nam Resident Mission Awards "Viet Nam 2030" Essay Contest Winners |
The contest, initiated in 2007 to commemorate the Viet Nam Resident Mission’s (VRM’s) 10th Anniversary, received over 350,000 entries from secondary school students presenting their vision for Viet Nam in 2030. At the ceremony held on 27 January, ADB Vice President C. Lawrence Greenwood, Jr. and Vice Minister Nguyen Vinh Hien of Viet Nam’s Ministry of Education and Training awarded prizes to the authors of the 15 best essays. The contest was conducted in cooperation with the Government of Viet Nam and supported by private sector sponsors.
Health Centers for Tsunami-Affected Communities to Rise on Nias Island
On 14 and 15 January, Pieter Smidt, Head of the Extended Mission in Sumatra, participated in the groundbreaking ceremonies for two subdistrict-level health centers on Nias Island. The centers are part of a $3.8 million program for improving primary health care services on this island off the coast of Sumatra. The Nias health program will build six health centers and build capacity for the Health Departments. It is a component of the Earthquake and Tsunami Emergency Support Project financed by a $291 million grant from the Asian Tsunami Fund.
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| Political and Economic Regionalism in Asia |
There are several key differences between Asia and Europe in the scope, speed, sequencing, and style of economic cooperation, in both economic and political terms, said ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda in a speech delivered at the Real Instituto Elcano in Madrid, Spain, on 29 January 2008.
Bangladesh and Climate Change
The poorest countries and the poorest people are the first and worst victims of climate change, said ADB’s Bangladesh Country Director Hua Du at a consultation in Dhaka that called for legally binding targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050 to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
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| Banking on Religion to Prevent HIV/AIDS |
An ADB-backed nongovernment organization initiative finds out that religious festivities are opportunities for HIV/AIDS prevention campaigns in remote regions of the People’s Republic of China. In a related story, an NGO staffer helps monks and herdsmen understand HIV/AIDS better.
Keeping Hanoi’s Youth Safe from HIV/AIDS
An anti-HIV/AIDS project in Viet Nam shows that location is key to promoting awareness of reproductive health and HIV/AIDS among Hanoi’s youth.
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February 2008
