ADB ready to provide additional support for reconstruction

March 29: Asian Development Bank (ADB) Vice President Wencai Zhang has said that the ADB was ready to provide additional support for post-earthquake reconstruction if the Government of Nepal wanted to.

Speaking in a news conference organised by ADB country office here today, he said the ADB would provide approximately Rs 6 billion additional support for reconstruction if Nepal deemed it necessary.

The ADB has expressed dissatisfaction over the delay in the reconstruction works in the earthquake-affected districts and in the distribution of relief to the victims.

Zhang said that during his meetings held separately with Prime Minister KP Oli, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel, Minister for Culture,Tourism and Civil Aviation Ananda Prasad Pokharel, the National Planning Commission (NOC) vice-chairman Dr Yubraj Khatiwada and high government officials, he urged them to expedite the post-quake reconstruction works and speed upADB-funded projects.

Meanwhile, the ADB stated that Vice President Zhang, currently on a 4-day visit to Nepal, in his meeting with high government officials and discussed how Nepal could accelerate its economic recovery and develop plans for sustained higher growth. RSS