The World Bank (WB) has launched a new strategy in which around US$600 million would be provided within three years to Afghanistan for the country's rebuilding and delivery of public services to the people, said Mariam J. Sherman, country manager of World Bank for Afghanistan on Monday.

"The strategy, officially titled an Interim Strategy Note (ISN), covers the period 2009-2011 and envisages a grant program of around US$600 million, supporting the delivery of public services to citizens, particularly, for example in health and education," Sherman told a press conference in Kabul.

ISN would also provide extra support for rural development and promote an enabling environment for private sector development that can generate employment for Afghanistan, she added.

The reason to call this an "interim" strategy, the manager of the world largest lending agency said, is due to the conflict-affected nature of the country, adding this approach would allow greater flexibility and a shorter time horizon so that "our support can be responsive to the changing situation on the ground thus adjusting our support to identify priorities for Afghan people."

As a major contributor, the World Band has provided US$1.87 billion for the rebuilding of the post-Taliban country.

(Xinhua News Agency June 23, 2009)