Mr. Manmohan Parkash, Country Director for Bangladesh, Asian Development Bank (ADB) met with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to hand over ADB’s Country Operations Business Plan (COBP) for 2020–2022. The COBP programs around $5 billion in projects to promote rapid, inclusive, and sustainable growth in the country.

The COBP aligns with Bangladesh’s Seventh Five-Year Plan and ADB’s Strategy 2030 and supports programs to achieve the sustainable development goals. It also aligns with the country’s priorities for infrastructure and human development, science and technology research, rural and agricultural development, and private sector promotion.

ADB assistance include those for infrastructure and social sectors. This includes sovereign investments to improve access to electricity; improve human capital; enhance urban services, water supply, and sanitation; strengthen road, railway, and port connectivity; and promote rural development.

Lending priorities include those for skills development and tertiary education, with an emphasis in information technology. The COBP also prioritizes Bangladesh’s participation in regional and global value chains by furthering regional cooperation and integration in and beyond the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) region.

Among the major projects are the Dhaka-Sylhet Road, Joydebpur-Elenga-Rangpur-Burimari-Banglabandha Road, Faridpur-Barishal Road, dual gauging of the Dhaka-Chattogram Rail Lines, Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar Rail Line, Dhaka MRT Line 5 (Gabtoli-Panthapath-Aftabnagar), Skills for Employment Project, Computer and Software Engineering Tertiary Education Project, Dhaka Sewerage System and Water Supply Projects, and Khulna Sewerage System Development Project.

ADB has mobilized more than $25 billion in loans and grants in its 46-year partnership with Bangladesh to help improve infrastructure, public services, and social development outcomes for the people of Bangladesh.

Related Link:

• ADB to provide around $5b to Bangladesh for 2020-2022