Acting Minister of Finance and ADB Vice-President Discuss Deepening Economic Partnership

H.E. Dr. Mohammad Humayon Qayoumi, Acting Minister of Finance and Chief Adviser on Infrastructure to the President and Mr. Shixin Chen, Asian Development Bank (ADB) Vice-President met on the sidelines of the Asian Development Fund’s (ADF) midterm review meeting held in ADB headquarters in Manila- Philippine from 27–28 February.

In the meeting, they discussed ways to enhance ADB and Afghanistan’s development partnership and cooperation to boost economic growth and reduce poverty in the country.

Mr. Qayoumi appreciated ADB’s support for projects related to Afghanistan’s infrastructure development and regional integration. These projects include the Salang Tunnel, Turkmenistan–Uzbekistan–Tajikistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan Power Interconnection, and the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India gas pipeline. The projects help Afghanistan capitalize on its strategic geographical location through regional connectivity.

Mr. Chen, ADB’s Vice President, recognized the Government of Afghanistan’s progress in economic and financial reforms and the pursuit of self-reliance. He congratulated Afghanistan for the successful Geneva Ministerial Conference on Afghanistan in November 2018, which renewed the partnership of Afghanistan and the international community for the country’s peace, prosperity, and self-reliance.

ADB is one of Afghanistan’s largest development partners. The bank’s assistance is focused on energy; transport; and agriculture, natural resources, and rural development. ADB also supports the government’s efforts to better align and coordinate aid among the donor community, and itself collaborates closely with development partners active in Afghanistan.