$150m ADB loan to fight corruption

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is providing Bangladesh $150 million in loan to better equip the country in its fight against corruption and to foster economic growth by strengthening its system of governance.
An agreement on the credit was signed between ADB and the government yesterday, as the caretaker government carried on a purge against corruption in high places during the past governments.
Economic Relations Division (ERD) Secretary M Aminul Islam Bhuiyan and ADB Country Director Hua Du signed the loan agreement on behalf of their respective parties at a simple ceremony at ERD office at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the city.
Danish Ambassador Einar Hebogard Jensen and a number of other senior officials of the ministries concerned were also present at the loan-signing ceremony.
In addition to the loan for the Good Governance Programme, the donor agency will also extend a $1.5 million grant for technical assistance (TA) that will enhance the capability of the agencies concerned to implement policy reforms and effectively manage the Good Governance Programme. Denmark's Human Rights and Good Governance Programme is providing a $1 million grant for the TA.
The Good Governance Programme seeks to support the government to strengthen the ongoing consensus building on good governance, integrity and anti-corruption reforms, support judiciary separation and reforms with a focus on the performance, transparency and accountability of the judiciary, particularly on its role in the anti-corruption agenda.
It also seeks to strengthen the role and reach of the government's Anti-corruption Commission and bring good governance and anti-corruption initiatives into the mainstream within selected sector-level agencies to enhance their effectiveness.
“The result will be a set of long-term policy reforms in good governance, particularly those related to instituting good practices in combating corruption, specifically at the sector-agency level,” says a statement on objectives of the programme.
The loan will also help the government formulate and implement a national integrity strategy. At the moment, there is no programme in the country targeting corruption through a broad and comprehensive approach. The Good Governance Programme fills that void.
“Reflecting the government's strong stand on developing major reforms to address corruption, the Good Governance Programme supports the government's priorities on good governance and contributes directly to desired outcomes in this sector,” said Hua Du.