The Asian Development Bank on Tuesday announced a financial support package to help its developing member countries mitigate the economic and financial impacts resulting from the conflict in the Middle East.
ISLAMABAD (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 24 March 2026) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Tuesday announced a financial support package to help its developing member countries mitigate the economic and financial impacts resulting from the conflict in the Middle East.
ADB President Masato Kanda said, according to a statement issued by the bank: “The ADB will provide rapid, flexible and scalable assistance to help countries manage immediate pressures and enhance long-term resilience, in particular fast-disbursing budget support and trade and supply chain financing to secure the import of essential goods, now including oil.”
“This builds on our strong track record of supporting Asia-Pacific during periods of global uncertainty,” Kanda added.
The ADB has ample resources to protect current and planned operations, while expanding emergency support in line with DMC’s needs, including tapping into counter-cyclical lending reserves.
The Bank is closely monitoring global market developments and their potential impacts on economies across Asia-Pacific, particularly with regard to energy price volatility, inflationary pressures, and external account balances.
The latest analysis by the Asian Development Bank suggests that disruptions to shipping routes have already increased costs and delivery times, while supply risks extend beyond energy to key industrial inputs such as petrochemicals and fertilisers, with serious implications for agriculture and food production.
Economies dependent on tourism and remittances face increasing vulnerabilities beyond these initial shocks.
Furthermore, conflict is increasing uncertainty and tightening financial conditions across the region, putting pressure on currencies and capital flows.
In response, the ADB stands ready to deploy timely financial and technical support to help developing countries manage risks, maintain macroeconomic stability, and protect vulnerable populations.
There are two main components of the ADB’s intervention. The first is to accelerate the disbursement of budget support to assist developing countries facing increasing financial pressures, in particular using the Bank’s Countercyclical Support Facility to help governments stabilize their economies and mitigate the impact of shocks on the lives and livelihoods of the most vulnerable.
The second program is the Asian Development Bank’s Trade and Supply Chain Finance Programme, which supports the private sector to ensure the continued flow of vital imports, including energy and food.
The bank decided to reactivate support for oil imports within the program on an exceptional basis for this limited period. This resolution recognizes that economies and people across the region are severely affected by rapidly rising oil prices and supply chain disruptions.
The ADB has initiated discussions with all severely affected developing countries on potential immediate support and will continue to work closely with governments, development partners and the private sector to ensure coordinated and effective responses to maintain economic stability and protect the poor and most vulnerable.