$400-M LOAN PA APRUB SA ADB

INAPRUBAHAN na ng Asian Development Bank (ADB) ang $400-million loan na susuporta sa pagsisikap ng Philippine government na palakasin ang domestic capital markets para pasiglahin ang ekonomiya matapos ang COVID-19 pandemic.

Sa isang statement, sinabi ng ADB na ang policy-based loan “Support to Capital Market-Generated Infrastructure Financing Program, subprogram 1” ay naglalayong matugunan ang mga pangunahing hadlang na naglilimita sa paglago ng domestic capital markets, lalo na ang government at corporate bond markets.

Ayon sa ADB, nakatuon din ang loan facility sa pagtatayo ng masiglang domestic institutional investor base na magiging pangmatagalang pagkukunan ng long-tenor infrastructure finance.

Anang multilateral lender, ang capital market development program ay susuporta sa mas malaking public infrastructure spending sa mga darating na taon.

“Resilient and vibrant capital markets are key to achieving economic development, growth, and poverty reduction as set out in the government’s long term strategy AmBisyon Natin 2040,” wika ni  ADB vice-president Ahmed Saeed.

“By developing domestic capital markets, funds are generated to support higher levels of long-term investments and sustainable quality job creation. The program approved today will support the Philippine government’s development goals, including its response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” dagdag pa ni Saeed.

Sa bagong loan ay umabot na sa $2.1 billion ang kabuuang pautang ng ADB sa Filipinas ngayong taon.

Nauna nang inaprubahan ng bangko ang $1.5-billion loan para sa COVID-19 Active Response and Expenditure Support Program noong April 23 at ang  $200-million na karagdagang pondo para sa  Social Protection Support Project noong April 27.