The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

President Professor Iajuddin Ahmed sought enhanced assistance from the Asian Development Bank in developing power, gas and transportation sectors of Bangladesh.

He stressed the need for funding these priority sectors while talking to ADB Country Director Hua Du when she paid a farewell call on the President at Bangabhaban yesterday.

During the meeting, the outgoing ADB country chief apprised the president of the donor agency's different activities and support to Bangladesh in achieving its aspired goals in various fields, including expanding quality primary education, creating business environment, developing private sector, ensuring high economic growth and food security, and protecting environment.

She mentioned that the funding agency made the highest allocation in 2007-08 fiscal with US$ 965 million for Bangladesh during the present government, and the disbursement also recorded the highest amount during the same period.

"ADB is the lead development partner for the ongoing Second Primary Education Sector Development Programme aimed at reducing poverty through contributing sustainable socioeconomic development as envisaged in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)," said the Country Director.

She also highly appreciated the different reform programmes undertaken by the present government in various fields and its performance in enhancing efficiency and productivity through strengthening private sectors.

She also praised for developing rural infrastructures and irrigation, ensuring available agriculture credits for farmers and supplying hybrid seeds that contributed significantly to increasing agriculture productivity and domestic food products.

The ADB Country Director apprised the President that ADB attaches high priority to the effects of climate change and has set up climate-change fund for assisting its developing member-countries threatened by climate change.

She told the President that Bangladesh that contributes only less than 0.1 percent to global climate change is one of the countries worst affected by global warming.

Hua Du, who has stayed for the last six years in Bangladesh, highly appreciated the people of the country for their warm hospitality, courage and hard work.

The President thanked the outgoing ADB country Director for her performance during the six-year-long tenure.

He also sought the outgoing ADB country director's cooperation in the development efforts of Bangladesh in the days to come.

Secretary of President's Office Md Sirajul Islam, Military Secretary to the President Major General Mohammad Ruhul Amin and Press Secretary Abdul Awal Howlader were present.