ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Senator
Ishaq Dar and Asian Development Bank (ADB) Vice-President Wencai Zhang
joined federal ministers, diplomats, senior government officials, ADB
staff, and representatives of the development community to celebrate ADB’s
50th Anniversary at a reception in Islamabad.
The event included a panel discussion on “What’s Next—Supporting
Pakistan’s Development Agenda,†the country launch of the ADB history book
Banking on the Future of Asia and the Pacific—50 Years of Asian
Development Bank, the presentation of a short video about ADB in Pakistan,
and the unveiling of a commemorative postage stamp.
“Over the last 50 years, ADB has helped upgrade vital infrastructure,
promote private sector development, improve public sector management and
financial markets, foster social protection, and develop agriculture
sector, as well provided emergency assistance,†said Mr. Zhang. “Together
we have overcome many development challenges; together we are committed to
expanding our partnership to reduce poverty and increase prosperity of the
people of Pakistan.â€
The anniversary event, jointly organized by ADB’s Pakistan Resident
Mission and the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) of the Ministry of
Finance, was kicked off by welcome remarks from ADB Country Director
Xiaohong Yang detailing key development milestones during the last 5
decades.
In the panel discussion Finance Minister outlined Pakistan’s economic direction and key
achievements while underscoring the country’s tremendous development
potential as a future economic powerhouse.
