The World Bank (WB) has agreed to provide a loan of 2.25 billion US dollars to Bangladesh for its five development schemes on regional trade and connectivity, disaster preparedness, and environmental management.
A loan agreement was signed between Bangladesh and the global lender at the WB headquarters here on Monday (local time).
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and WB President David Malpass witnessed the exchange of the agreement.
The five projects are: Resilient Infrastructure Building Project (RIVER), Bangladesh Environmental Sustainability and Transformation (BEST), Accelerating Transport and Trade Connectivity in Eastern South Asia (ACCESS) –Bangladesh Phase-1, First Bangladesh Green and Climate Resilient Development (GCRD) and Sustainable Microenterprise and Resilient Transformation (SMART).
Of the projects, the resilient infrastructure scheme with USD 500 million for adaptation and vulnerability reduction will be the first major investment programme to support Bangladesh Delta Plan-2100 as it will help improve disaster preparedness against inland flooding.
The second project on Bangladesh’s environmental sustainable and transformation worth about USD 250 million will help Bangladesh strengthen environmental management and promote private sector participation in green investment.
The third one on accelerating transport and trade connectivity in Eastern South Asia-Bangladesh phase-1 with USD 753.45 million will help Dhaka improve regional trade and connectivity.
The fourth project on the first green and climate resilient with USD 500 million will help the country’s transition to green and climate-resilient development.
The fifth and last scheme on sustainable micro-enterprise and resilient transformation involving USD 250 million will help transform the micro-enterprise sector to be a more dynamic, less polluting, resource efficient, and climate resilient growth sector.
PM presents painting on Padma Bridge to WB president
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has presented a painting on Padma Multipurpose Bridge to the World Bank president David Malpass.
The World Bank had cancelled its $1.2 billion credit for the Padma Bridge project in 2012 citing corruption conspiracy involving Bangladeshi officials, executives of a Canadian firm and some individuals.
But the WB could not place any proof in favour of their claim while Canadian court in 2017 found no evidence of Padma bridge bribery conspiracy.
PM Hasina has repeatedly denied the allegation as false and went ahead with self-financing the iconic bridge and opening it on June 25 last year.
