ISLAMABAD: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Saturday offered its expertise to Pakistan to deal with natural calamities.
During a meeting with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, the ADB Country Director Leipach said that “we have deep-felt sympathies for the people of Pakistan, and would gladly share our experience in the reconstruction work since ADB has expertise in dealing with natural calamities like the typhoon ‘Yolanda’ in the Philippines.”
Mr Leipach extended condolences on behalf of ADB President Takehiko Nakao on the loss of life and colossal damage caused by the recent floods in Pakistan; he said “in order to make our relationship more meaningful, we would like to help the people of Pakistan.”
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The country director also discussed details of the upcoming visit of the ADB president to Pakistan.
During the meeting, the finance minister appreciated their concern and hoped that the visit would help in understanding Pakistan’s development priorities as well as critical issues facing the country.
Dar also expressed pleasure at ADB’s interest in Islamic mode of financing and said that “we would issue Sukuk soon and hope that it will be as much oversubscribed as Eurobond.”
Published in Dawn, September 14th , 2014