ADB Holds Regional Event for Successful Project Design, Implementation
DHAKA, July 31 (NsNewsWire) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is conducting a 3-day regional event in Dhaka to further enhance project design and implementationcapacity of ADB-funded projects’ executing and implementing agencies.
State Minister for Finance and Planning Mr. M.A Mannan MP opened the event at Hotel Le Meridien in Dhaka this morning. Secretary for Economic Relations Division Kazi Shofiqul Azam; ADB Country Director Manmohan Parkash, and ADB’s Portfolio Management Division Director Rehan Kausar, among others, spoke at the opening session.
“The event in Dhaka is first regional initiative in South Asia for promoting sound design and efficient implementation of development projects,” said Country Director Manmohan Parkash. “Reflecting the recent corporate reforms in ADB, the event willpromote deeper understanding of ADB processes and procedures, sharing practical experiences and insights, and discussion of new ideas in overcoming development challenges”.Emphasizing successful project design and implementation, Mr. Parkash said, “While significant resources are allocated, it is important that projects are implemented expeditiously and completed timely so that people can benefit early and fully from the project outcomes.”
The event forms part of ADB efforts to deliver effective development results by combining financing with knowledge and expertise. It covers topics on project design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation in addition to ADB’s internal process and procedure. Around 70 ministry officials, and government project staff from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka as well as ADB staff are participating in the event structured around ADB’s project cycle. The program also includes a site visit to a facility under the Dhaka Water and Sewerage Authority on the last day.Senior ADB staff including directors and sector experts will conduct sessions.
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members—48 from the region. In 2017, ADB operations totaled $32.2 billion, including $11.9 billion in cofinancing.
ADB focuses its cooperation in Bangladesh on six sectors—energy; transport; water and urban/municipal infrastructure and services; education; finance; and agriculture, natural resources, and rural development. Till 31 December 2017, ADB approved $20.4 billion for 279 loans, $258.4 million for 432 technical assistance projects, and $787.1 million for 35 grants to Bangladesh. ADB’s active portfolio in Bangladesh comprises 53 projects amounting to $9.4 billion, and 27 technical assistance projects amounting at $23.8 million. In 2017, ADB approved over $2 billion in loans and guarantees for sovereign and nonsovereign projects in Bangladesh. ADB also mobilized $756.85 million in cofinancing for Bangladesh during 2017. Press release