The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh received at least US$ 1,107 million in foreign aid during July-February period of the current fiscal year, which is the highest-ever disbursement by bilateral and multilateral donors during the same period in yesteryears. The disbursement amount would be higher to some extent as some other releases still remained to be reported, a senior ERD official told UNB.

"It'll be the highest-ever foreign aid disbursement," he said, adding that the commitment for aid is also the highest.

ERD sources said the disbursement of foreign aid in the last fiscal year (2006-07) was only 1,630 million.

"The commitment and the disbursement have been high this year. Recurring floods, Cyclone Sidr and institutional reforms in the country might have contributed towards creating a positive impression among the donors," said the ERD official.

Of the total aid released, US$ 697 million were loans and US$ 410 million were grants.

The major aid disbursements included World Bank's IDA $ 362 million, ADB's $ 300 million, Denmark's $ 113 million, WFP's $ 54 million, DFID's (UK) $ 47 million, South Koreas's $ 38 million and Japan's 30 million.

As of March 5, 2008, Bangladesh received an aid commitment of US$ 2,015 million, which is also one of the highest commitments Bangladesh has received so far.

According to ERD records, the commitment crossed US$ 2-billion mark also in 2007, 1998 and 1994.

"This year, I expect, the commitment will reach US$ 3 billion," said ERD secretary Aminul Islam Bhuiyan.

Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam is not concerned about foreign aid for this fiscal year as well as for the budget 2008-09. "Foreign aid for beyond the next fiscal year would depend on how the next government will deal with the donors," he told UNB.