PM seeks more support from ADB for socioeconomic development

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said Bangladesh expects greater support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to accelerate the socioeconomic development of its people.

She conveyed the expectation to ADB Vice President (Sector and Themes) Fatima Yasmin, who was paying a courtesy call on her at Ganabhaban.

PM’s Speech Writer Md Nazrul Islam briefed reporters after the meeting.

“Our main goals are the socioeconomic uplift of the country’s people and inclusive development. The government is prioritizing rural people's development,” the premier was quoted as saying.

She told the ADB official that her government has focused on enhancing the purchasing power of the country’s people as it would help expand industrialization and create more job opportunities.

Sheikh Hasina mentioned sectors like climate change adaptation, agriculture, river excavation and restoration where the Manila-based lender can increase its assistance.

The prime minister called upon the ADB to take up more people-centric projects so that a large number of people can reap their benefits.

Fatima Yasmin said Bangladesh is a top priority country for the ADB as the regional lender enhanced its support towards the South Asian country five times from 2009 to 2023.

She told the prime minister that the ADB is keen to implement projects centring on river restoration as well as river-based tourism, recreation centres and irrigation alongside prioritizing climate change adaptation, human and social development, technical education and health sector projects.

Fatima served as the senior secretary of the Finance Division of Bangladesh before joining the ADB in September.