Kathmandu, April 17:

Deputy director general of ADB’s South Asia department, Sultan Hafeez Rahman arrived in Kathmandu today to congratulate the new democratic government in person and to participate in the Country Programming Mission (CPM) that began here today.

As part of its annual exercise, ADB is fielding the CPM from April 17-29 to review its recent political, economic and social developments and determine their implications for ADB operations; discuss government’s approach to reconstruction and rehabilitation; discuss government priorities for the next three years and discuss important sectoral and portfolio performance issues with the government.

ADB will also consult with development partners on their operational approach and identify co-financing opportunities and meet non-governmental organisations and civil society concerning its operations, informed an ADB press release.

Rahman is also scheduled to discuss the scope for increased sub-regional cooperation with the government of Nepal and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) during his visit.

He will also introduce ADB’s newly appointed country director for Nepal Paul J Heytens to the government and other development partners.

Before being appointed as the country director, Heytens served as the principal agricultural economist in ADB’s South Asia department. He was responsible for developing rural development projects in a number of South Asian countries, including a coastal community development project in Sri Lanka and a rural credit cooperative reform programme in India.

Manila-based ADB is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and Pacific region through pro-poor sustainable economic growth, social development and good governance.

Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members, 48 from the region.