Kathmandu, September 3:

Kunio Senga, Director General of the Asian Development Bank’s South Asia Department, arrived in Kathmandu today for four-day official visit.

According to a press release, he will meet Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal as well as Ministers for Finance, Works and Transport, Agriculture, Education, Water Resources, Local Development and Physical Planning and Reconstruction.

Senga is also scheduled to meet SAARC Secretary General to reiterate ADB’s readiness to support SAARC carry out its summit resolutions and implement ADB-funded regional cooperation initiatives more effectively.

He will also meet representatives of ADB’s development partners and the media to discuss a wide range of development issues, challenges and prospects.

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific region through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth and regional integration.

Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members — 48 from the region. In 2007, it approved $10.1 billion in loans, $673 million in grant projects and technical assistance amounting to $243 million.