Governments can further expand and finance their social protection programs through an increased focus on and commitment to infrastructure investment, according to Naoyuki Yoshino, dean of the Asian Development Bank Institute.
Infrastructure investments always come with risk, but provide governments and other development stakeholders high rewards if implemented effectively, according to the head of the Tokyo-based institution.
Yoshino emphasized the need for governments to create an enabling policy and regulatory environment for these investments to maximize impact and secure an adequate rate of return. The ADBI dean also asserted that the private sector can play a significant role in these investments by bringing both capital and expertise to the table.