Asian Development Bank to give $8bn in next 5 years

The total pledged by the Philippines-based bank when launching its Bangladesh country partnership strategy (CPS) on Wednesday is far higher than the US$ 5 billion it provided for the 2011-2015 period. In committing to the sum, the ADB will adopt a broad-based approach to respond flexibility to the needs and demand of the country during the period. It will support easing infrastructure constraints in key sectors, such as energy, transport and urban development. The priority investment areas of ADB will be improving human capital (skills), supporting economic corridor development, improving rural livelihoods and infrastructure and providing climate and disaster resilient infrastructure and services. ADB Country Director K Higuchi, and Economic Relations Division (ERD) senior secretary Mohammad Mejbahuddin, jointly launched the CPS at the National Economic Council (NEC) auditorium in Dhaka.