PRC Poverty Reduction and Regional Cooperation Fund grants $3.325 million USD for 2013 Projects

Project narrative

On 24 March 2005, the Chinese Government and Asian Development Bank (ADB) jointly established the People's Republic of China (PRC) Poverty Reduction and Regional Cooperation Fund. The China Ministry of Finance provided financing and ADB implemented the projects. The purpose of this special fund is to support the process of poverty reduction, regional cooperation and knowledge sharing for ADB developing member countries (DMCs) in the Asia-Pacific as well as Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) and Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) countries. According to a 2019 Annual Report (p. 34), on 20 June 2013, the Chinese Ministry of Finance approved $2.1 million USD from this special fund for four different Batch 1 projects: 1) $500,000 USD for "South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Power System Expansion." Closed on 1 July 2017. 2) $500,000 USD for "Second the GMS Corridor Towns Development Project." Closed on 2 November 2017. 3) $600,000 USD for "Promoting Regional Knowledge Sharing Partnerships." Closed on 2 April 2019. 4) $500,000 USD for "Design of e-Governance Master Plan and Review of ICT Capacity in Academic Institutions." Closed on 28 December 2015. According to a 2019 Annual Report (p. 34), on 13 November 2013, the Chinese Ministry of Finance approved $1.225 million USD from this special fund for three different Batch 2 projects: 1) $225,000 USD for "Developing Local Currency Bonds for Infrastructure Finance in ASEAN+3." Closed on 29 February 2016. 2) $500,000 USD for "Implementing the Greater Mekong Subregion Human Resource Development Strategy Framework and Action Plan Phase II." Closed on 28 September 2018. 3) $500,000 USD for "Asia-Pacific Community of Practice on Managing for Development Results - Strengthening Knowledge Partnerships on MfDR." Closed on 27 January 2016.