World Bank FT Summit

World Bank President Robert Zoellick and Governor, Central Bank of

Sri Lanka Ajith Nivard Cabraal were on the financial and urban leaders’ panel that discussed Infrastructure Finance at the World Bank FT Summit held in Singapore, November 10.

The other panelists were: Secretary for Finance, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Renato Villela; Minister of Road Transport and Highways, India, Kamal Nath; Editor, Financial Times Lionel Barber; Minister, Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Finance and Second Minister for Transport, Singapore, Mrs Lim Hwee Hua. The Panel discussed issues relating to the development and financing of urban infrastructure and the challenges that still have to be overcome.

How are projects being prioritised in urban strategies, and what does that mean for the future shape of Asian cities? How have climate change considerations affected urban planning and budget policies? How are banks and the private sector being encouraged to participate? What regulatory frameworks have been established and how is good governance being assured? What needs to be done to develop the municipal bond market on a regional scale and counter uncertainty on pricing and market stability? What will our cities look like in 2020?