Govt moves to speed up ADB-funded projects
The government and Asian Development Bank (ADB) have agreed on short and medium-term roadmaps for 2021-2022 to further accelerate the implementation of ADB-assisted projects.
The decision was taken at a tripartite virtual portfolio review meeting yesterday.
Fatima Yasmin, secretary to Economic Relations Division (ERD), and Manmohan Parkash, ADB country director for Bangladesh, co-chaired the meeting.
Around 300 senior government officials, project directors, and ADB staff members participated in the event, which was the first such review of 2021.
"Post pandemic, we are focusing on accelerated project implementation for faster socioeconomic recovery," said Parkash.
Expediting procurement, accelerating approval, mobilising consultants and contractors early and implementing health safety guidelines were some of the special actions agreed upon.
"We also agreed on the need for engaging good consultants and contractors, effective contract management, efficient land acquisition and resettlement, proper implementation of environmental management plans, and sound financial management," said Parkash.
This is all in addition to ensuring proper readiness before processing projects, he added.
The meeting reviewed the progress of actions agreed on in late 2020 and the readiness status of 2021 pipeline projects.
Meanwhile, specific actions were agreed upon for slow-moving projects to utilise project funds expeditiously.
The ADB's current sovereign portfolio comprises 52 projects of $11.26 billion.
The ADB operates in six sectors in Bangladesh with energy, transport and water being the first.
Urban and municipal infrastructure and services such as education and finance is the second while agriculture, natural resources and rural development is the third.
The cumulative lending of loans and grants to Bangladesh, including co-financing, stands at around $39 billion.
Comments