AFD in Bangladesh
AFD is an inclusive public financial institution and the main actor in France's development policy. It supports projects that genuinely improve the everyday lives of people, in developing and emerging countries and in the French overseas territories. AFD works in many sectors and promotes the transition to a safer, more equitable and more sustainable world: a world in common. Its action is fully in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
AFD is currently supporting over 3,500 development projects in 109 countries for a total of EUR 10.4 billion committed in 2017.
Since 2012, AFD and Bangladesh have worked together to develop low-carbon infrastructures and to promote access to essential services for the population. AFD acts through loans and also mobilizes European funding, in the form of grants AFD goal is to support green and inclusive growth in Bangladesh.
AFD'S COMMITMENT TO BANGLADESH
AFD has been working in Bangladesh since May 2013, with a mandate to promote a green and inclusive growth. Over the past five years, more than Euros 360 million have been committed.
With a mandate matching the Bangladeshi government's priorities, AFD's interventions are based on the following areas of cooperation:
In order to encourage sustainable urban mobility, AFD is supporting Dhaka for the development of smoother and more low-carbon mobility with the financing of a fast, high-capacity bus line that will link the north of the city to the airport on a dedicated lane as well as a technical assistance program to build the capacity and coordination of the various actors in charge of transport in the city. Those projects will improve the agglomeration's productivity and ensure better accessibility to urban jobs and equipment for the entire population.
AFD supports the Dhaka Water Authority to improve access to drinking water for all and sustainable management of water resources. AFD is financing two water treatment plants and the connection of 20 slums to the public water supply network through local NGOs in the field. From those projects, 5 million inhabitants will benefit from a more efficient water service and nearly 4 million additional inhabitants will be connected to the network. The environmental impact will also be important, thanks to a strong reduction of underground samples.
To strengthen the electricity distribution networks, AFD is financing a project to modernize and extend the power grid of the DPDC distribution company in Dhaka. This project will provide a more stable power supply and reduce CO2 emissions per kWh.
The RMG sector accounts for 80% of the country exports and employs nearly 5 million people. For the promotion of CSR in the textile industry, AFD, together with the European Union and the German institutions KfW and GIZ, runs a credit program that allows factories to invest in safety and social and environmental standards of factories.
In the short term future AFD also aims to develop financing for various renewable energy and energy efficiency projects across the country through its green finance label SUNREF and intends to support the government in the emergence of a maritime and fluvial economy.