May 8, 2002	Wednesday	Safar 24, 1423

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MANILA, May 7: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide $5.2 million as technical assistance to Pakistan, and to a water management plan for Asia, the bank said on Tuesday.

A four million-dollar grant would finance the creation of a water system that would provide statistics and information, including national water sector profiles of the selected countries, an ADB statement said.

The project also includes a pilot demonstration of innovative approaches in the water sector, and finance a public awareness drive, comparative analysis of water sector reforms in the region, and regional water partnerships among others.

The bank will provide an $800,000 grant to Pakistan to prepare a small-and-medium-enterprise (SME) sector uplift programme, the Philippines-based bank said.

The aid would help devise policy and institutional reforms, including an SME-friendly licensing and regulatory regime, and develop models for business development and financial services customized to the needs of the SMEs, it added.—AFP