Majuro, Marshall Islands: The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) largest loan to the Marshall Islands is moving through the review and approval process at ADB headquarters in Manila, following its endorsement in Majuro.

The proposed US$14 million loan would help the Marshall Islands stabilise its financially troubled national power utility and help the Government improve financial management and reduce spending.

That is the view of the ADB’s Marshall Islands desk officer, Kiyoshi Nakamitsu, who was in Majuro earlier this week.

He said the ADB approval process was ongoing.

Mr Nakamitsu said the proposed loan is responding to needs identified by Marshall Islands leaders.

If the loan is approved it would fund a detailed government personnel audit which has been requested by the Government.

A separate project proposal focusing on poverty reduction that includes funding for a planned, but much delayed Marshall Islands national census is now pending with a donor.

Mr Nakamitsu said they need statistics to track poverty alleviation activity.