ADB more than triples capital to $165 billion

30 April 2009

The board of governors of Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to more than triple its capital base from $55 billion to $165 billion, giving the multilateral lender much-needed resources to respond to the global economic crisis and to the longer term development needs of the Asia and the Pacific region, the bank said in a release.

ADB's 67 member countries voted overwhelmingly on a fifth general capital increase, on 29 April, the bank said, adding the 200 per cent increase in capital is ADB's largest so far, and the first since ADB increased its capital by 100 per cent in 1994.

"This substantial increase is a resounding vote of confidence from our shareholders for what we can achieve as a premier development partner in the region," said ADB president Haruhiko Kuroda.

The capital increase decision comes two days before ADB begins its 42nd annual meeting in Bali, Indonesia, from 2-5 May.

The 200 per  cent increase allows ADB to substantially increase its support to countries affected by the global downturn, enabling ADB to provide an additional $10 billion from its ordinary capital resources over the next few years for crisis-related assistance.

"We must do all we can to prevent the reversal of hard won gains for our region in social and economic development, and in poverty reduction,"  Kuroda said.