MANILA, Sept. 1 (Xinhuanet) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) isplanning to extend 600 million US dollars in assistance to Afghanistan over the next three years, according to an ADB CountryStrategy and Program (CSP) Update for 2004-2006.

    The loan pipeline, prepared in collaboration with the Afghanistan government and totaling 570 million dollars over the three years for 12 programs and projects, is from the ADB's concessional Asian Development Fund, the Manila-based ADB said in a statement.

    Additional grant assistance amounting to 30 million dollars will come from the ADB's technical assistance special fund.

    The three-year program will continue to support economic growth,poverty reduction, and reconstruction and development, the statement said.

    The 12 projects and programs planned during the period span five sectors, including natural resources, transport, energy, thefinancial sector and public sector.

    The ADB is following a three-pronged approach to supporting Afghanistan's post-conflict reconstruction: building capacity, establishing an appropriate policy and institutional framework, and rehabilitating essential infrastructure.

    The final lending allocations over the period will depend on country performance and resource availability.

    The ADB resumed operations in Afghanistan, a founder member of the ADB, in May 2002 with the approval of an initial CSP 2002-2004that committed 500 million dollars in loans and grants. Enditem