Acting Minister of Finance Discussed World Bank’s Financial Assistance to Mitigate Coronavirus Pandemic and Development Conference on Afghanistan

In a video conference, H.E Abdul Hadi Arghandiwal, discussed with the World Bank Deputy for South Asia. In this meeting both parties discussed assistance to Afghan people, especially in these hard times due to Coronavirus pandemic; holding international conference on Afghanistan and the new changes to the World Bank projects in Afghanistan because of Corona pandemic.

First, the World Bank Deputy for south Asia expressed that World Bank stand with Afghanistan government and people. ‘I had a discussion with President Ghani on how to help the poor and vulnerable of Afghanistan population’, he added. World Bank will support Afghanistan government to mitigate this pandemic.

Acting Minister of Finance expressed his gratitude for the supports provided by the World Bank; and added that Afghanistan needs support from international community and especially World Bank. The government will communicate the programs to the public, evaluate and will continue it. We expect the program to achieve what the government intends, he added.

World Bank Deputy for south Asia stated that there will be support for holding international conference on Afghanistan from the World Bank. We will discuss with the international community and international organizations to hold a conference, and we wish Afghanistan can attract enough financial commitments to fund financial programs and work toward self-sufficiency, the World Bank Deputy for South Asia added.

Acting Minister of Finance expressed that Afghanistan has started planning for this event and has communicated with different organizations on this topic; we wish to have a successful conference.

Word Bank Deputy for south Asia added ‘There will be a another review for the projects package to re-allocate financial resources for Corona virus pandemic mitigation’, added the World Bank Deputy for South Asia

Acting Minister of Finance responded that same process is going on with our national budget, and we would be glad if the review in the World Bank projects package can create some funding to mitigate the Coronavirus pandemic.

World Bank Deputy for south Asia stated: this needs to be communicated with the funders of these projects, Afghanistan government will be updated about the matter.

The meeting was concluded: technical teams at MoF and World Bank will ensure the points that were discussed in this meeting will be implemented.