The Asian Development Bank is holding review of its projects with Punjab government on Monday and Tuesday. ADB country director, M. All Shah, is leading the bank delegation.
During its stay in Lahore, the delegation will call on the Governor of Punjab, and will have detailed discussions with the Planning and Development Department on various aspects of ADB's operations in the province.
The discussions will cover ADB's both ongoing as well as proposed development assistance projects and programmes.
Specifically, the delegation would review progress of the ongoing Punjab resource management program, implementation of the Punjab road development sector project, besides discussing the proposed assistance for devolved Social Services programme.
Under the $204 million Punjab Resource management programme, approved by ADB last December, the Punjab Government is undertaking major reforms in the governance structures, systems, and processes to strengthen provincial finances, realign provincial institutions for pro-poor service delivery, and create opportunities for growth and income generation in the private sector.
ADB is committed to provide a total assistance of $500 million to support the reform process in Punjab through this cluster Program over five years.
Implementation of the Punjab Road Development Sector project, approved by ADB in October 2002 for $150 million, will also be discussed.
The major project involves rehabilitation of seven provincial highways (300 kilometre's), and rehabilitation of 25 rural access roads totalling 1,100 kilometres.
The delegation will, in addition, discuss various matters related to the Punjab Devolved Social Services Program, which is in ADB's assistance pipeline in 2004.
This Program aims to improve the access and effectiveness of social sector service delivery at the local government level, with a major focus on health. Proposed projects related to water sector development in Punjab and ADB's assistance in this sector will also be discussed.
Finally, matters relating to portfolio performance in the province in light of a recent Government-ADB review meeting in Lahore, will also be discussed during the delegation's visit.