The South Korean government through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) will contribute US $21 million to support the government of Bangladesh in entrepreneurship development, intelligent transport systems and safer cyberspace for digital Bangladesh.
To mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of KOICA - the organization for providing grant aid and technical assistance programs for international development - joins hands with the Economic Relations Division (ERD) of the Ministry of Finance to sign three grant agreements, KOICA said.
The occasion was graced by Young-Ah Doh, country director, KOICA Bangladesh, Taehyun Kim, deputy country director, KOICA Bangladesh, Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky, joint-secretary (Wing Chief, Asia, JEC and F&F), ERD, and Mirana Mahrukh, joint-secretary (Asia), ERD.
The first document was signed between KOICA and the ERD for a project titled “Capacity Building of Universities in Bangladesh to Promote Youth Entrepreneurship”.
The project will be implemented by Dhaka University with a budget of $7.5 million over five years, aiming to support the improvement of quality entrepreneurship education in Bangladesh.
The second document was signed by KOICA, Roads & Highways Department (RHD), Roads Transport and Highways Division, and ERD for a project titled “Improving the Reliability and Safety on National Highway Corridors of Bangladesh by Introduction of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS)” with a budget of $8.9 million over four years.
The objective of the project is to make road transport infrastructure in Bangladesh more safe, reliable, and sustainable; use ICT for better, efficient and effective traffic management; and enhance the institutional capacity of RHD for road and traffic management.
The third document was signed by KOICA, Bangladesh Police, CID, Public Security Division, Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) and the ERD for a project titled “Enhancing Cyber Crime Investigation Capability of Bangladesh” with a budget of $4.8 million over four years with the objective to strengthen the digital investigation capabilities of the criminal investigation department of the Bangladesh Police to combat emerging cybercrime and enhance evidence-based policing.
KOICA is currently implementing over 20 development projects in the following priority sectors under its Country Plan (CP) with US $20 million worth in grants per annum: ICT (innovation), Education (TVET), and Public Health.
Speaking at the project signing ceremony, Country Director of KOICA Bangladesh Young-Ah Doh said KOICA is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and is proud to continue its long-standing relationship with Bangladesh.
"I’m glad that it has partnered with Bangladesh to advance the socio-economic development of the country. I believe that through dedication and hard work, the people of Bangladesh will be able to touch the apex of development in every sector," she added.