ADB assures of alleviating power, gas, water crises
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
FE Report
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pinpointed power, gas and water as three key problems for Bangladesh and assured the government of its necessary support for addressing those.
"Bangladesh is facing triple crises of power, gas and water… We are keen to extend our support in this regard," the visiting director general (DG) of the South Asia Department of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Sultan Hafeez Rahman told newsmen after his meeting with finance minister AMA Muhith at the latter's Secretariat office Monday.
Taking the three major problems into consideration, the ADB has already agreed to double its assistance for Bangladesh, under which it will receive more than US$ 1.0 billion per annum for the next three years, he added.
When asked, the ADB DG said: "We are focused on all the areas where the country urgently need assistance. Apart from power, gas and water, the ADB is also ready to help Bangladesh improve the quality of education."
Mr. Sultan Hafeez Rahman, however, said the ADB is also keen to see the progress on the government-initiated Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme for the sake of implementation of infrastructure projects, especially in the generation of power.
He also expressed the ADB's willingness to assists the government in the PPP initiative.
"It is not possible for the government alone to invest in the all the infrastructure projects that Bangladesh really needs. So, the private sector can also take part in the development process," the ADB DG said.
Also mentioning about the ADB's funding supports for some of the country's power projects, the senior ADB official said: "We see that the Padma Bridge Project is moving ahead."
The ADB Country Director in Bangladesh Paul J. Heytens was also present on the occasion.
Talking to newsmen about his meeting with the ADB officials, the finance minister said some ADB-assisted projects like Padma Bridge, installation of electricity transmission under Bangladesh-India joint initiative, reforms in the VAT (value added tax) and revenue sector, improvement of Bangladesh Railway were discussed at the meeting.
They also laid emphasis on enhancement of the government revenue earnings, he mentioned.
About the proposed Padma bridge, Mr. Muhith said the ADB wants early start of its construction as the tender for the project has already been invited.
"I have informed the ADB officials that we have some works like relocation of affected people and other environmental aspects to accomplish," the finance minister said.
He also said: "Like ours, the ADB officials have expressed their concern at the slow progress in the preparation of PPP policy guidelines."
About the reforms in VAT sector, the finance minister said the government has already initiated the process of upgrading the VAT law.
Mr. Muhith also informed the newsmen that he would leave Dhaka on 21 April for Washington to join some events there including 'the launch of global agriculture and food security programme (GAFSP), 'dialogue on sanitation and water to be sponsored by UNICEF and World Bank)' and 'IMF-WB spring meetings' to be held there between April 22 and April 25.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pinpointed power, gas and water as three key problems for Bangladesh and assured the government of its necessary support for addressing those.
"Bangladesh is facing triple crises of power, gas and water… We are keen to extend our support in this regard," the visiting director general (DG) of the South Asia Department of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Sultan Hafeez Rahman told newsmen after his meeting with finance minister AMA Muhith at the latter's Secretariat office Monday.
Taking the three major problems into consideration, the ADB has already agreed to double its assistance for Bangladesh, under which it will receive more than US$ 1.0 billion per annum for the next three years, he added.
When asked, the ADB DG said: "We are focused on all the areas where the country urgently need assistance. Apart from power, gas and water, the ADB is also ready to help Bangladesh improve the quality of education."
Mr. Sultan Hafeez Rahman, however, said the ADB is also keen to see the progress on the government-initiated Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme for the sake of implementation of infrastructure projects, especially in the generation of power.
He also expressed the ADB's willingness to assists the government in the PPP initiative.
"It is not possible for the government alone to invest in the all the infrastructure projects that Bangladesh really needs. So, the private sector can also take part in the development process," the ADB DG said.
Also mentioning about the ADB's funding supports for some of the country's power projects, the senior ADB official said: "We see that the Padma Bridge Project is moving ahead."
The ADB Country Director in Bangladesh Paul J. Heytens was also present on the occasion.
Talking to newsmen about his meeting with the ADB officials, the finance minister said some ADB-assisted projects like Padma Bridge, installation of electricity transmission under Bangladesh-India joint initiative, reforms in the VAT (value added tax) and revenue sector, improvement of Bangladesh Railway were discussed at the meeting.
They also laid emphasis on enhancement of the government revenue earnings, he mentioned.
About the proposed Padma bridge, Mr. Muhith said the ADB wants early start of its construction as the tender for the project has already been invited.
"I have informed the ADB officials that we have some works like relocation of affected people and other environmental aspects to accomplish," the finance minister said.
He also said: "Like ours, the ADB officials have expressed their concern at the slow progress in the preparation of PPP policy guidelines."
About the reforms in VAT sector, the finance minister said the government has already initiated the process of upgrading the VAT law.
Mr. Muhith also informed the newsmen that he would leave Dhaka on 21 April for Washington to join some events there including 'the launch of global agriculture and food security programme (GAFSP), 'dialogue on sanitation and water to be sponsored by UNICEF and World Bank)' and 'IMF-WB spring meetings' to be held there between April 22 and April 25.