Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Haruhiko Kuroda next week will visit Cambodia and Viet Nam to discuss ADB's assistance programs and future areas of cooperation.
President Kuroda will pay his first official visit to Cambodia 17-19 February, where he will meet with senior Government officials, help launch a major transportation initiative, and sign a US$71 million grant and loan package.
President Kuroda will visit Viet Nam 19-21 February, where he will meet with senior Government officials, private sector representatives and development assistance partners, and visit an ADB-supported HIV/AIDS prevention program for youth.
The visit comes ahead of the Third Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit in March 2008, where leaders from six Mekong nations will discuss measures to strengthen regional cooperation, foster development, and enhance the region's competitiveness.
Thursday, 21 February, at 8:00 a.m., President Kuroda will host a press conference at ADB's Viet Nam Resident Mission in Hanoi. He will share his views on the possible impacts of a global economic slowdown on Asia's economy, and the specific ramifications the slowdown may have for Viet Nam.