Finance Minister AMA Muhith has said the Asian Development Bank (ADB) would give technical assistance for the construction of Padma Bridge, if the government sought it.
The minister made the comment to reporters yesterday following a meeting with ADB Director General (South Asia Department) Juan Miranda at his secretariat office.
Muhith also said the final tranches of $130m, under the capital market strengthening project, would be given in due time.
Regarding an ADB condition for enacting the financial reporting act within two months, the minister said: “We have completed the proposed financial reporting act. However, this will not be placed in this parliament session, but the next one.”
Earlier, Muhith had said the government dropped the option of taking technical assistance from the ADB after deciding to construct the Padma Bridge with its own funds.
Speaking about yesterday’s meeting, ADB Director General Juan Miranda said: “We have discussed about development of infrastructure, Padma Bridge, capital market strengthening project, economic corridor, deep-sea port and port.”
Praising the economic achievements of Bangladesh, the ADB DG said the government should emphasise on developing its infrastructure to improve economic growth, adding that the construction of Padma Bridge was essential for the growth of Bangladesh.
Saying the Padma Bridge would be constructed in time, he added that it was irrelevant who would finance the project.