The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the government of Bangladesh Wednesday signed a technical assistance (TA) grant agreement of $900,000 for improving the quality, delivery and climate resilience of basic urban services and infrastructure in coastal towns.

The Government of Japan is financing the TA through the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction. ADB will administer the fund and also provide technical support for project implementation.

The TA will prepare the proposed “Coastal Towns Infrastructure Improvement Project”, which will contribute to improving climate resilience and overall health of selected coastal town populations. Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives will be the executing agency of the project.

Saifuddin Ahmed, Joint Secretary, Economic Relations Division (ERD) signed the agreement on behalf of Bangladesh government and Wahidur Rahman, Chief Engineer signed on behalf of the executing agency at a ceremony at ERD, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka. Stefan Ekelund, Deputy Country Director, signed the agreement for ADB.

“The assistance will lead to improved municipal infrastructure with climate-resilient designs, particularly in water supply, sanitation, and drainage, strengthened local governance, capacity for sustainable service delivery and urban planning while raising awareness in disaster risk preparedness”, said Stefan Ekelund, Deputy Country Director for ADB’s Bangladesh Resident Mission.

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth and regional integration. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members -- 48 from the region. In 2011, ADB approvals including cofinancing totaled $21.7 billion.

News: The Daily Sun/Bangladesh/20th-Dec-12