PRC Poverty Reduction and Regional Cooperation Fund grants $2.6 million USD for 2012 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. 33), on 20 November 2012, the Chinese Ministry of Finance approved $1.4 million USD from this special fund for three different Batch 1 projects: 1) $500,000 USD for "Provision of Knowledge Products and Services to DMCs through Systematic Knowledge." Closed 1 February 2019. 2) $500,000 USD for "GMS Phnom Penh Plan for Development Management, Phase V (supplementary)." Closed 30 October 2015. 3) $400,000 USD for "Supporting Capacity Development Needs of CAREC 2020." Expected to close on 30 June 2020. According to a 2019 Annual Report (p. 33-34), on 1 March 2013, the Chinese Ministry of Finance approved $1.2 million USD from this special fund for three different Batch 2 projects: 1) $300,000 USD for "Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS and Other Communicable Diseases in Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Countries." This was project was cancelled before it was scheduled to close on 31 December 2015. 2) $500,000 USD for "CAREC Trade Facilitation Program: Promoting Cooperation in Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures." Closed on 17 December 2015. 3) $400,000 USD for "Technical Training and Capacity Building for Selected Asian Countries on Regional Economic and Financial Monitoring - Phase II." Closed on 19 February 2016.