KABUL - The World Bank (WB) would provide Afghanistan $1 billion in assistance under its new three-year policy, an official said on Saturday.
The new policy was announced by the bank's vice president for South Asia, Isabel M. Guerrero, who presided over a forum held on the sidelines of spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Washington from April 20 to 22, said the WB press officer in Kabul, Abdul Rauf Zia.

The new policy promises financial aid to Afghanistan beyond 2014, when most of the international troops are scheduled to leave the country, Zia said.
He said the WB's policy stressed reforms in local governance in Afghanistan and strengthening the private sector to create more jobs.

The policy also called for the development of Afghan mines, acknowledging the bank's activities in Afghan provinces had been uneven and should be expanded nationwide.
A WB statement issued to Pajhwok Afghan News quoted Guerrero as saying the bank remained committed to Afghanistan's sustainable development over the past one decade.

He said the WB had assisted the country in areas of education, health, training, local governance, capacity building of departments and others.
He said the bank's future support to Afghanistan would focus on national priorities, which could help the Afghan government effectively assume the transfer of authority from foreigners. (Pajhwok)