Minister Johari Leads Malaysian Delegation To ADB Annual Meeting In Frankfurt

KUALA LUMPUR, May 3 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Deputy Finance Minister Johari Abdul Ghani is leading a Malaysian delegation to the 49th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the 19th ASEAN+3 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors' Meeting. The meetings are being held in Frankfurt from May 1 to 5, the Ministry of Finance said in a statement here Tuesday. Themed "Cooperating for Sustainability", the ADB Annual meeting draws participants from all over the world, including heads of state, finance ministers, central bank governors and representatives from the private sector and academia. In conjunction with the meeting, Johari will also meet ADB President Takehiko Nakao to discuss related issues, particularly on financing for regional development. "It allows governors from ADB member countries to provide guidance on ADB administrative, financial, and operational directions," the statement said. The meeting also enables member governments to interact with ADB staff, non-government organisations, the media, and representatives of observer countries, international organisations, academia and the private sector. Seminars will also be held to discuss the inclusive and sustainable growth; the needs for greater trade and investment; structural reforms; education and skills; climate change; employment and procurement reforms; as well as business opportunities with the ADB. Meanwhile, the 19th AFMGM+3 will discuss the progress of the regional economic cooperation, as well as exchange views and ideas on global and regional economic prospects and challenges. In this regard, the meeting will deliberate on several initiatives, including the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office, the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation and the Asian Bond Markets Initiative. "Malaysia's participation in both meetings reaffirms our commitment in ensuring economic and financial stabilities of the region are given the highest priority," it said. --BERNAMA