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Alsharq Tribune-M.Essam
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Tuesday said it has approved a 10 million U.S. dollar policy-based grant to help Kiribati strengthen public sector management and advance environmental protection efforts.
The grant forms part of the Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Recovery Program (Subprogram 2), which builds on earlier reforms designed to promote inclusive and resilient growth across three key reform areas.
Under Subprogram 2, the ADB supported legislation and the rollout of measures to modernize public financial management, broaden the tax base, strengthen oversight of state-owned enterprises, update the legal framework for the digital economy, and improve transparency in budget expenditures.
The program also backs the establishment of a SafeNet database that records information on gender-based violence. The system aims to support more targeted intervention programs, including skills and vocational training that enhance financial inclusion and livelihood opportunities for women survivors.
A landmark fisheries and ocean resource management policy under the program seeks to help Kiribati protect, conserve, and sustainably manage its vast ocean resources.
The ADB said these initiatives underscore its continued commitment to supporting Kiribati's sustainable economic recovery while safeguarding critical ecosystems.
The 10 million dollar grant is accompanied by parallel cofinancing from the European Union, the governments of Australia and New Zealand, and the World Bank.
Policy-based grants help countries address financing gaps in their national budgets for general development spending. Rather than funding specific projects, the grants are released directly to the government's budget once agreed policy actions are completed.
