ADB, others review Asian water financial resources

The second meeting of the World Panel on Water Infrastructure Financing is threshing out various aspects of water for people focusing on policies and experiences of the People’s Republic of China, India, and the Philippines. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is hosting the two-day meeting.

The panel also aims to formulate practical proposals for attracting higher financial flows to the water sector through innovative financing approaches.

The meeting kicked off with introductions to the Manila water concessionaires and a visit to the Bayan Tubig project in Quezon City. During the visit, concessionaire Maynilad Water Corp. which is supplying water to the communities through preferred rates briefed the panel led by chairman Michel Camdessus, Honorary Governor of the Bank of France and former head of the International Monetary Fund. Also present was Hans Juergen Springer, special counselor to ADB president Tadao Chino.

Another group from the panel visited the Manggahan Floodway Water Supply Project, a similar campaign developed and implemented by Manila Water to supply piped water to poor communities at low rates. Angel Gurria, former Minister of Finance of Mexico, accompanied that group.