By Robin Chan

THE Asian Development Bank (ADB) is set to give countries in the region a boost by raising lending and giving them easier access to loans to combat a financial crisis that is fast becoming a social one.

ADB managing director-general Rajat Nag told The Straits Times yesterday that he expects the four days of meetings in Bali beginning today between the ADB's policymakers and government leaders to produce an aggressive response to help countries survive the global downturn.

The creation of a 'counter-cyclical stimulus facility' will be high on the list of discussions, he said.

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