ADB to give $2b for development projects
The Asian Development Bank will give $2 billion in loans to Bangladesh this fiscal year – 66.66 percent higher than it did last year – to help the country implement the ongoing development projects, said Finance Minister AMA Muhith yesterday.
Muhith disclosed it to reporters after a meeting with ADB Country Director Manmohan Parkash at his secretariat office.
On Friday, the ADB approved $100 million as grants for the displaced Rohingyas as part of a $200-million package.
Parkash told reporters that unlike the World Bank, the ADB does not have any separate window for providing grant for the Rohingyas. However, following the request from the government, the lender urged its member countries to quickly approve the fund as grants.
Bangladesh placed the request to the ADB in the first week of May and the bank approved the grant within two months to help the country develop basic infrastructure and services for the displaced Rohingyas, he said.
The project will be to build roads within the camps to connect essential food distribution and storage centres, hospitals, education facilities, and provide emergency access. It will also resurface the road from Cox's Bazar to Teknaf and other critical sections.
To address the water needs, the project will provide mobile water carriers, community bathing facilities and build a piped water supply system and waste management facilities, together with small water treatment plants.
