The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is seeking public consultations for its Digital Infrastructure Strategy in Asia.
According to the AIIB, only 26% of Asia’s rural population has broadband access, and women are 10% less likely to own a mobile phone than men, with the gap growing to 28% in south Asia.
The AIIB says that digital infrastructure investment will boost members’ traditional infrastructure and also economic productivity, since a 10% increase in broadband coverage is thought to stimulate a 1.4% growth in GDP.
Joachim von Amsberg, AIIB’s vice president, said: "So far, many countries have focused on gradually improving their traditional infrastructure for transport, communication and energy.
"What is now needed is a shift to investing in tomorrow’s infrastructure. As a 21st-century development bank, AIIB is well positioned to take on this challenge and support its members’ pursuit of their vision for an interconnected digital ecosystem.
"We hope this can serve as a basis for new business models that benefit a country’s citizens and boost sustainable development of the economy."
"Because private-sector resources have fallen short of digital infrastructure needs, AIIB can leverage its balance sheet to provide significant resources with longer maturities and appropriate financing instruments."
More information on the AIIB’s Digital Infrastructure Strategy is available here.
Image ©GCR, illustration by Denis Carrier
