ADB approves $484,000 grant for RI<\/p>\n
Bloomberg
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a US$484,000 technical
\nassistance grant to help the government reduce poverty by
\nimproving services for the poor, including health care and
\neducation.<\/p>\n
The aid will go to support five of the poorest regional
\ngovernments -- a province, a city and three districts -- the bank
\nsaid in an e-mailed statement. The government will provide
\n$214,000 for the project, which will be completed in early 2004.<\/p>\n
"Many regional governments have inadequate resources to
\naccelerate development, particularly in rural areas, and to
\ncontinue government efforts to reduce poverty," said Shiladitya
\nChatterjee, the bank's chief programs coordination specialist in
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
Indonesia needs external aid to spur economic growth and help
\nfinance a budget deficit estimated at Rp 34.4 trillion (about
\n$3.9 billion) this year. Jakarta estimates growth of 4 percent
\nthis year.<\/p>\n
A United Nations report last year said more than half of
\nIndonesia's 212 million people are below the poverty lines,
\nliving on less than $2 a day.<\/p>\n
With an estimated 40 million of its citizens jobless, economic
\ngrowth is key to reducing poverty and maintaining social
\nstability in the world's fourth-most populous country.<\/p>\n
ADB will disburse $800 million to the country this year for
\nbudget financing and to fund poverty reduction projects. The
\ndonor lent $994 million last year.<\/p>",
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