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ADB Approves Strategy For Afghanistan

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (28 MAY 2002) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) today approved its Initial Country Strategy and Program for Afghanistan.

"This is an historic step," said Yoshihiro Iwasaki, Director General of ADB's South Asia Department. "It clears the way for the provision of some US$500 million of assistance in grants and concessional loans by the ADB over the next two years. All of us are excited to be able to resume operations in Afghanistan, after more than two decades of waiting."

Under the strategy, ADB assistance would focus on three key areas - basic education; reconstruction of transport infrastructure; and rehabilitation of irrigation systems and agriculture - all of which are crucial for Afghanistan's reconstruction and poverty reduction. In addition, ADB will assist in key areas such as health, energy, finance and trade, environment, and community development.

ADB's medium-term development framework, which is consistent with the goals and priorities set forth in the Interim Administration of Afghanistan's National Development Framework, includes four crucial components:

• Afghan men and women must lead and be fully involved in all stages of the reconstruction process from planning to design and implementation;
• An appropriate policy and institutional framework as well as sound governance must underpin the investment program;
• Substantial building up of institutional capacity is needed;
• Investments need to promote basic human entitlements and social inclusion as well as address the specific needs of returning refugees, internally displaced persons, and other vulnerable groups.

ADB will take a demand-driven, participatory and community-based approach in its operations. In infrastructure, ADB will help rehabilitate national and district roads, power transmission, and the gas subsector. In agriculture and rural development, it will rehabilitate production and irrigation systems as well as provide key farm inputs. Interventions will also address the issue of eliminating poppy cultivation. In social development, ADB will support education, health, and community development.

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