The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday sought increased assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for bankrolling Bangladesh's comprehensive development agenda undertaken by her government.

She made the request when a 4-member delegation of the funding agency, led by its visiting Vice- President Xiaoyu Zhao, met her at the Prime Minister's Office as part of their mission for updating their working relations with the new government in Dhaka.

Highlighting her government's vision, Sheikh Hasina said her government would give emphasis on poverty eradication, development of power, energy, community health services, railway communications, dredging rivers and other social sectors to improve the living standard of the common man.

To implement the programmes she sought increased assistance from the Asian donor agency.

During the meeting, the ADB Vice-President appreciated the socioeconomic agenda put in the election manifesto of Awami League, which earned a huge popular mandate.

The ADB team termed the work plans "courageous" and "farsighted", and thanked the Prime Minister for incorporating such pro-people programmes in the election manifesto.

The ADB Vice-President observed that success of any programme depends on active participation of the people. "The programmes you have undertaken have been imprinted in the hearts of common people. You would get people's support in implementing the programmes," commented Xiaoyu Zhao.

He assured of providing more assistance in support of the development efforts of Bangladesh.

ERD Secretary Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan and Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Abul Kalam Azad were present.

ADB is one the major development partners of Bangladesh. The cumulative lending to the country by the end of December 2008 came to about US$ 9.86 billion borne in 192 loans while technical-assistance grants amounted to US$ 183.16 million for 332 projects.