The government of Japan will provide 500 million yen, equivalent to approximately Tk 386.30 million, as a grant to a primary education development project titled "The Fourth Primary Education Development Programme" (PEDP-4).
The government of Bangladesh signed an agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to begin providing the funds for the programme on Thursday, according to a press release issued by the Economic Relations Division (ERD).
IWAMA Kiminori, the Japanese ambassador to Bangladesh, signed the 'Exchange of Notes' and ICHIGUCHI Tomohide, chief representative of JICA Bangladesh Office, signed the 'Grant Agreement'. ERD secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky signed both the documents on behalf of Bangladesh.
The government of Japan has already provided a total of two billion yen grant in the last four years for the programme.
The financial support under the PEDP-4 has been planned to be used for fiduciary system, budget support, education for teachers and continuous professional development.
The PEDP-4 is being implemented by the Directorate of Primary Education under the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education since July 2018 and is set to be continued until June 2025, according to the statement.
Japan is the single largest bilateral development partner of Bangladesh. Since the independence of Bangladesh, Japan has provided USD 32.61 billion, according to the ERD.
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