ADB will continue to support Sri Lanka
Asian Development Bank is forecasting seven percent economic growth
for Sri Lanka in next year.
|
ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda |
With the end of the war, and based on ADB's forecast of six percent
economic growth for Sri Lanka this year and at least seven percent in
2011, ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda said that he was optimistic that the
people of Sri Lanka can look forward to a more promising and secure
future.
Addressing a press conference Friday at the end of a three-day visit
to the country, Kuroda said that ADB will continue to support Sri Lanka
as it rebuilds its economy, and seeks accelerated development.
Kuroda stressed that for peace to be sustainable, challenges need to
be addressed. On the economy, inclusive growth and sustainable
development need to be underpinned by sound macroeconomic fundamentals,
firm efforts to keep the fiscal deficit under control, a strengthening
of the financial sector and greater participation in the economy by the
private sector.
He said that the priority of Sri Lanka's post-war development is to
make sure that rapid reconstruction continues in the war-affected areas
and the benefits of development reach everyone in the country.
"Alongwith rapid reconstruction to enable people in conflict-affected
areas to return to normal lives as soon as possible, post-war
development should also focus on more inclusive and equitable growth,"
said Kuroda.
Reconstruction of basic infrastructure and restoration of essential
services such as water and sanitation, roads, hospitals and schools in
the war-affected Northern and Eastern provinces will remain a priority
area of ADB's assistance, Kuroda said.
Earlier this year, ADB approved $150 million in emergency assistance
loan to Sri Lanka for reconstruction of urgently needed infrastructure
and restoration of essential services in war-affected regions.
Another $50 million loan was also extended this year to support the
Government's efforts to undertake public finance management reforms
aimed at promoting increased investment in underdeveloped areas,
including in areas severely affected by war. |
