ADB PLANS US$1 BLN IN ASSISTANCE TO AFGHANISTAN.

BERLIN, April 1 Asia Pulse - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide about US$1 billion in assistance to Afghanistan for 2005-2008, ADB President Tadao Chino announced at an international conference in Berlin on the country's future.

"The challenges facing Afghanistan today are large and complex. Clearly, the country requires longer-term commitments and significant amounts of technical and financial support for its new policies and development programs from the international community," Mr. Chino told the conference Wednesday, on "Afghanistan and the International Community - a Partnership for the Future."

"I am pleased to announce that the Asian Development Bank will provide the Government on the order of $800 million in the form of highly concessional ADF loans and grants during 2005-2008, subject, of course, to the outcome of ongoing ADF negotiations and the future availability of ADF," he said.

He said that in addition to the $800 million, the organization has identified loan and equity investments of up to $100 million in partnership with local and foreign investors, as well as guarantees of about $100 million to catalyze private sector investments in Afghanistan. ADB will also seek cofinancing in support of its programs and projects, he said. Furthermore, ADB will continue to provide technical assistance to the Central and South Asia Trade and Transit Forum, where issues pertaining to subregional trade and transport may be discussed.

The two-day conference is reviewing the broad plans contained in the Afghan Government report, "Securing Afghanistan's Future." The report, prepared in collaboration with ...