ADB assistance programmes focus on energy : Finance minister

Hyderabad, Apr 30 (UNI) Union minister for Finance P Chaidambaram today said of the the bulk of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) assistance Programmes, more than 55 per cent, would focus on transport and energy during 2006-08 in the country.

Talking to newsmen here, Mr Chidambaram said 'cumulative disbursments under ADB public sector projects, upto December 12, 2005, was 7.5 billion dollars of which the energy, transport and communications sectors account for more than 75 per cent.

The minister said the government has asked the ADB to focus on strategically important areas such as strengthening the national power grid and other critical investment needs.

Stating that the overall size of the Bank's India programme would increase steadily from $ 2.25 billion in 2006 to Hyderabad, Apr 30 (UNI) Union minister for Finance P Chaidambaram today said of the the bulk of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) assistance Programmes, more than 55 per cent, would focus on transport and energy during 2006-08 in the country.

Talking to newsmen here, Mr Chidambaram said 'cumulative disbursments under ADB public sector projects, upto December 12, 2005, was 7.5 billion dollars of which the energy, transport and communications sectors account for more than 75 per cent.

The minister said the government has asked the ADB to focus on strategically important areas such as strengthening the national power grid and other critical investment needs.

Stating that the overall size of the Bank's India programme would increase steadily from $ 2.25 billion in 2006 to $2.45 billion in 2007 and $ 2.65 billion in 2008, he said the ADB has approved four projects worth S 1.2 billion, of which more than 80 per cent was for rural roads and urban development in 2005.

UNI AP VV SM1455 .45 billion in 2007 and $ 2.65 billion in 2008, he said the ADB has approved four projects worth S 1.2 billion, of which more than 80 per cent was for rural roads and urban development in 2005.

UNI AP VV SM1455