May 11, 2006	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 12, 1427

ISLAMABAD, May 10: The Asian Development Bank has assured its technical and financial support for major water and power sector projects to help Pakistan in meeting its growing needs.

This was stated by head of a five-member ADB delegation Juan Miranda in a meeting with Minister for Water and Power Liaquat Ali Jatoi here on Wednesday.

Mr Juan also appreciated the President’s Water Vision and said that it would bring revolution in Pakistan and the economy would rapidly grow.

He said that the import of electricity from Central Asian States through Afghanistan would also be a good initiative. He said that the ADB was providing financial assistance to various projects in Pakistan and would continue its support for major projects in potential sectors.

The minister said that the economy had made significant progress over the last few years. Pakistan was witnessing massive upsurge in economic activity, not seen before in many decades, he added.

Jaoti said that the confidence of the domestic as well foreign investors was gaining new heights on the back of a stable macroeconomic environment.

He said that the economy was now more stable, economic policies were transparent and predictable, confidence of the private sector was restored to a large extent, expatriate Pakistanis were bringing their capital back, stock market was buoyant and the credit ratings of the country in international capital markets had significantly improved.