ISLAMABAD, Jan 27: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will offer $800 million in 2003 to undertake seven development projects including $150 million “Decentralization of Social Services Project” in Sindh.

The visiting ADB Managing Director for South Asian Department Voshihoro Iwasaki met Economic Affairs Division (EAD) secretary Dr Waqar Masood Khan on Monday and informed him about the approval of new projects.

After the meeting Mr Khan told Dawn that the ADB had agreed to extend $800 million for seven development projects. “The bank has promised $2.4 billion assistance for three years and as a first step Pakistan will be disbursed $800 million in 2003,” he stated.

The bank, besides $150 project for Sindh, would offer $150 million for Punjab Resources Management Programme.

Similarly, $150 million would be provided for Balochistan Road Sector Development Programme. The programme also included the building of farm-to-market roads and connecting various roads with Afghanistan.

On the pattern of World Bank’s $350 million Structural Adjustment Credit (SAC), the ADB would offer $100 million for flagship SAC programme for Pakistan.

Sources said that $100 million had been allocated by the ADB for the Industrial Efficiency and Environmental Management Programme. Then there would be $30 million and $40 million Early Childhood Development Programme and Fata Development Programme, respectively.

The amount for the seven projects was $720 million but if the amount of various technical assistance programmes were included, the total would touch a $800 million figure.

Sources said that the visiting official also discussed with the EAD secretary future reform agenda of the new political government.

Mr Iwasaki would meet Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance Shaukat Aziz on Wednesday.

He was also scheduled to meet the officials of the ministry of water and power on Tuesday to discuss resettlement issues relating to Chashma Right Bank Canal project. A number of NGOs and local communities had asked the ADB to review its resettlement policy to avoid dislodging thousands of people.

However, sources said, the ADB had maintained that the resettlement issue would be sorted out by the ministry and Wapda and “not” the bank.