ISLAMABAD, April 4: President Asian Development Bank, Tadao Chino, on Thursday said that the Bank would extend US$1 billion to Pakistan in 2002.

The ADB president called on the finance minister, Shaukat Aziz, here on Thursday after his visit to Kabul, and appreciated the government’s economic reforms.

The two sides discussed the assistance ADB was offering with special emphasis on its plan for new assistance of about US$1 billion in 2002 for financing the development of agriculture, local government, and improvement of governance, and the financial position of the provinces.

The finance minister thanked the ADB president for approving the Access-to-Justice loan of US$350 million.

Aziz also appreciated ADB’s catalytic role in initiating micro-finance in Pakistan by setting up the Khushhali Bank and providing it financial and technical assistance. —APP