<h1>Finance Minister Calls for Doubling Asian Development Bank's Lending Capacity to Meet Asia-Pacific Development Needs.</h1> The Union Finance Minister addressed the 47th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), emphasizing the need to enhance ADB's lending capacity to meet the growing developmental needs of Asia and the Pacific. He highlighted that ADB's current lending capacity is insufficient and proposed doubling it over the next decade. The Minister pointed out that rising administrative expenses and stagnant disbursements have hindered sustainable lending levels. He urged members to consider increasing the Bank's capital stock and revisiting the recent loan charge hikes, which faced significant opposition, to better support regional development goals.