FINANCE MINISTER KUMA COMMENDS ASIA DEVELOPMENT BANK

Finance and Treasury Minister, Hon Harry Kuma has acknowledged ADB for the timely assistance of USD$5 million (SBD$40.3 million) grant to help finance the Government’s effort and responses to COVID 19 community transmission.

Minister Kuma has commended ADB for the quick turnaround in responding to the Government’s request and for the timely disbursing of funds for early response and recovery activities.

The ADB financing comes at the right time to enhance Government’s response to manage the health crises. The ADB financing will be channeled towards meeting immediate expenses to manage the Covid 19 community transmission and also support the much needed public health services during the crisis.

The Minister stated that the country’s COVID-19 confirmed cases has increased exponentially from just one imported case identified on 9 January 2022 to 4203 cases as of 10 February 2022 and 49 COVID-19-related death were since recorded.

He added that the country has prioritized health expenditure since the onset of the pandemic and will continue to support responses to manage the spread of Covid-19 cases in Honiara and across the provinces.

Minister Kuma also commended other development partners (NZAID, AUSAID, PRC, and WB) for the generosity in supplying medical equipment and technical support to enhance the Government capability to respond to the current health crises facing the country.

ENDS///

Government Communications Unit