ASIAN Development Bank (ADB) President Takehiko Nakao is impressed about the venue of the ADB’s 52nd Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors that will be held in May.
During his visit, his second to Fiji as ADB President, Mr Nakao visited facilities in Denarau and Natadola which will be the sites of ADB’s 52nd Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors in May 1-5, 2019.
“I am impressed by the beautiful venues and high-quality facilities selected for the Annual Meeting,” Mr Nakao said.
“ADB’s Annual Meeting is an excellent opportunity to highlight the strength of the Fijian economy and progress across the wider Pacific region. In the meeting, we will discuss, among others, the development of sustainable tourism and management of ocean health which are important issues not only for Fiji and other Pacific countries but also for many Asian countries.”
Mr Nakao also met with the Prime Minister of Voreqe Bainimarama today to discuss ways ADB will expand and strengthen its partnership with Fiji.
He also held discussions with Attorney-General, and Minister for Economy, Civil Service, and Communications, and ADB Governor Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji and ADB Alternate Governor Ariff Ali.
ADB has committed $593 million of assistance to Fiji since it joined the bank in 1970.
Since 2014, ADB has helped the government mobilize large financing packages for investments, including concessional funds from development partners such as the Green Climate Fund.
Ongoing ADB projects include the $100 million Transport Infrastructure Investment Sector Project, the $42 million Fiji Urban Water Supply and Wastewater Management Investment Program, the $15 million Sustained Private Sector-Led Growth Reform Program, and the $50 million Emergency Assistance for Recovery from Tropical Cyclone Winston.
