Japan, BD hold dialogue on ODA policy in Mar

Munima Sultana | Published: February 27, 2016 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

Japan is set to hold a dialogue on its Official Development Assistance (ODA) policy with the government next month aiming at assessing its guidelines for involvement in different development projects in Bangladesh.
Sources said the ODA policy dialogue, the second of its kind, is likely to review the projects being implemented under the funds of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and evaluate their progress.
Besides, it will also discuss projects to be funded under the Japanese government's soft loan and grant arrangement. Â
"The issue of proper implementation of the National Integrated Strategy (NIS) is also likely to be in focus during the meeting, said an official.
He, however, said the agenda of the meeting is yet to be finalised.
Sources said an ODA policy dialogue mission of the Japanese government will arrive in Dhaka to hold the meeting with officials of the Economic Relations Division on March 10.
The ERD held an inter-ministerial preparatory meeting on February 22 with all concerned ministries implementing JICA-funded projects.
Official sources said the meeting was called to prepare for the upcoming ODA policy dialogue as a large number of mega projects are now under implementation with the JICA funds.
Some more mega projects including the Matarbari power station are also in the pipeline, they added.
"All the Japan government-funded projects are on the track. Our position is also good," said an official who attended the meeting.
He, however, said the NIS may face challenges as issues of corruption are yet to be addressed properly.
To assist the country in attaining its objective of becoming a middle-income one by 2021, the JICA has been providing assistance to achieve sustainable economic growth and alleviate poverty focusing on infrastructure development in transportation, electricity and other areas. It is also assisting in stimulating the private sector.
To overcome the vulnerabilities of the society, the JICA is providing assistance in areas such as basic education, health care, rural development, governance and disaster management.
Officials said among the upcoming projects, Japan is likely to release more funds for the Mass Rapid Transit project as its progress is satisfactory.
They said Japan is also considering funding of the railway bridge over the Jamuna river and the Matarbari power plant in the upcoming ODA. Discussion on a master plan on south-eastern Chittagong district may come up during the meeting.
The government of Bangladesh considers the Japanese loan important as it has the lowest interest rate with longer payment and grace periods.
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