The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) transport investments in the Pacific, comprised of 15 projects, is expected to reach over $1 billion during the 2017–2020 period, including $385 million in cofinancing, according to the latest issue of the bank’s Pacific Transport Update launched today.
The Pacific Transport Update 2019 provides an overview of ADB’s technical assistance and lending activities in the Pacific region, specifically to the transport sector. The report highlights ADB’s strong partnerships with governments, communities, and the private sector in boosting the region’s connectivity; improving people’s access to goods, services, and opportunities; and building countries’ climate and economic resilience.
“The report emphasizes ADB’s work in the transport sector, which is supporting its Pacific developing member countries in providing safe, efficient, and reliable transport services that drive equitable socioeconomic growth and sustainable results,” said the Director of ADB’s Transport Sector Division for the Pacific Mr. Dong-Kyu Lee. “Sustainable and reliable transport is key to the growth and development of countries in the Pacific given they face challenges associated with their geographic isolation and limited resources.”
The report enumerates the progress and achievements of ADB’s operations in land, maritime, and air transport in the Pacific, including in policy planning and capacity building. Apart from elaborating on regional transport projects, the report also highlights ongoing ADB-assisted projects in Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. Future ADB-supported transport projects and activities are also mentioned.
ADB’s transport operations have increased significantly in the region. Of all the Pacific countries that feature in the report, Papua New Guinea has the largest active portfolio of about $1,266 million in civil aviation, road, port, and border projects. Solomon Islands is also a major beneficiary with $192 million in active portfolio to implement road and other transport sector projects.
The report says ADB’s transport operations in the Pacific support each of the seven corporate priorities of ADB’s long-term corporate strategy, Strategy 2030, which sets out the institution’s broad vision and strategic response to the evolving needs of Asia and the Pacific.