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Doubling Water Financing: What Will It Take?
The Asian Development Bank expects to double its investments in water and announced a major initiative at the 4th World Water Forum in Mexico that focuses on financing, reforms, and capacity development. This issue looks at some of the challenges to increase financing to meet the region’s water needs. At the global level, the Gurria Task Force Report on Water Financing questions the progress made in the past three years, while local initiatives in Maldives and Manila demonstrate innovative approaches to deliver better water services.
Mohamed Rasheed on Engaging the Private Sector to Invest in Water
Money spent on curing waterborne diseases or lost due to fetching water could be avoided through judicious investments on water, says Mohamed Rasheed, Marketing Manager of Male’s Water and Sewerage Company. Male’s joint venture with a Danish firm has resulted in 24/7 safe water supply that people willingly pay for. Sure, compromises were made, but benefits were definitely gained.
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ADB to Double Water Investments in the Next 5 years
ADB expects to double its investment in the water sector in 2006-2010. The new Water Financing Program will increase investments to over US$2 billion annually, and ensure that substantial funds, reforms, and capacity development programs are directed at rural communities, cities and river basins. Can new financing modalities, products and processes ensure the success of this new program?
Gurria Panel Searching for Demand-Supply Equilibrium in Water FinancingFirst came the Camdessus Panel’s call to double investments in the water sector. Next came the Gurria panel’s call to find the demand for these investments as studies indicate a marginally increasing or -- in some cases-- decreasing demand for water financing. What’s going on? And what should be done to reconcile this demand and supply equation?
Philippine Water Sector First in Line for Flexi-Financing OptionThe Metropolitan Water and Sewerage Services, long plagued by water losses, inadequate water sources, and weak infrastructure that could potentially cut off 50% of Manila’s water supply, may be in for happier days. ADB’s new multi-tranche financing facility offers a package that makes available to MWSS some US$370 million in flexible terms.
East Asia to Post Steady Growth in 2006 as PRC Moves to Check Expansion, ADB Says
East Asia’s growth will remain secure in 2006 with a 7.7% growth rate, according to the newly released Asian Development Outlook. What effects will the anticipated price increases of electricity, gas, water, and petroleum products in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) have on the region’s economy come 2007?
Pakistan: ADB to Help Restore Livelihoods of Earthquake-Affected Households Damaged livelihoods in Pakistan after an earthquake rocked the country in October 2005 are being restored with the help of a US$5 million ADB grant. Affected households will be given livestock, poultry, and materials for crop cultivation. Irrigation structures and the all-important drinking water supply system will be rehabilitated.
Indonesia Processing $177 Million in ADB Tsunami Assistance Around US$177 million in ADB assistance is set to aid the reconstruction of Aceh and Nias in Indonesia. Badan Rehabilitasi dan Rekonstruksi (BRR), the government agency responsible for reconstruction, will use the donation for rehabilitations in agriculture, fisheries, micro and small enterprises, irrigation, housing, and community and rural water supply.
Pakistan: Saving the Lifeblood of Sindh’s Coastal CommunitiesThe environmental and economic decline Pakistan’s Sindh province faces because of "water shortages, debt, and questions of governance" will soon be reversed. An ADB project to build a more conducive investment environment and improve agriculture, fishing, and other livelihoods of local people is about to take off.
Philippines: Sustainable Water Integrated Management and Governance for Baguio City
Baguio City, a mountain resort 1500 meters above sea level, suffers from perennially inadequate water supply. A new program on sustainable water management and financing, launched in 2004, is starting to change this. Read about the local actions in combating the water shortage problems in this mountain city.
Indonesia: Simple Solution for Drinking Water Makes Big DifferenceBoiling water becomes a thing of the past for people in Jakarta, Indonesia as a new, easy-to-use, cost-effective, and time-saving water treatment solution increases in popularity. “Air Rahmat” or “gift water,” a breakthrough water purification technology, decontaminates water for drinking, and reduces health risks among women and children.
Clear Vision Cleaner Future
The video showcases five environmental protection projects that promote cleaner air and safer water in PRC’s cities, and introduce ways of combating soil erosion and desertification in rural areas. Email adbpub@adb.org for CD-ROM copies.
Sub-Basin Profiles of the Tonle Sap This electronic atlas on the Tonle Sap basin includes maps and graphs on such features as population, digital elevation, flood extent and duration, river hydrology, land use, roads, and soil classifications, and more.
Linking Poverty Reduction and Water Management (March 2006)
This report analyses links between water and poverty, and outlines the ways in which improvements to water management can advance the cause of poverty reduction. Read more.
Data Book of Southeast Asian Water Utilities (December 2005) Results and analysis of the Southeast Asia Water Utilities Network’s (SEAWUN) benchmarking program, including profiles of 47 water utilities that participated in the program, are featured in this data book. Read more.
| 3-6 May 2006 | 39th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank Board of Governors (Hyderabad, India) The ADB Board of Governors’ annual meetings provide opportunities for member governments to interact with ADB staff, nongovernment organizations, media, and representatives of observer countries, international organizations, academe and the private sector. The independent expert panel report for ADB’s Comprehensive Water Policy Implementation Review will be presented and discussed during the meeting. |
| 9-12 May 2006 | Mayor’s Asia-Pacific Environmental Summit (Melbourne, Australia) ADB is organizing the water track session for this meeting of mayors and local government officials from all-over the Asia-Pacific region. The session will highlight small piped water network, zonal approach, sustainable water and wastewater technologies, cost recovery and tariff reforms, and e-governance. |
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