ISLAMABAD: The Asian Development Bank on Thursday released a landmark study which maps supply chains for critical products in the global response to Covid-19 pandemic, clearing the way for the identification and removal of blockages in their production and distribution.

The new initiative, led by ADB Trade and Supply Chain Finance Programme, is part of the $20 billion committed by ADB to fight Covid-19, and offset its global economic impact.

The interactive maps will enable banks, investors, governments, and healthcare professionals to pinpoint key companies in the supply of portable ventilators, N95 respirators, face shields, goggles, aprons, surgical masks, and gowns.

The maps consider the elements of each product down to its component metals and fabrics.

These maps provide banks, investors, governments and health care professionals with the information they need to ensure companies involved in manufacturing and distributing goods critical to fighting the coronavirus disease have nothing stopping them from ramping up supplies as fast as possible and getting them to where they are needed.

Published in Dawn, May 29th, 2020