Photo: Collected

DHAKA, May 24, 2026 (BSS) - The Asian Development Bank will provide 
Bangladesh with $1.4 billion in financing and assistance for four major 
projects aimed at strengthening economic management, social protection and 
infrastructure development in the country.

The financing agreement was signed today between Bangladesh's Economic 
Relations Division (ERD) under the Ministry of Finance and the ADB at a 
bilateral signing ceremony held at a hotel in the capital.

Speaking at the event, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said the 
ADB's swift and timely economic response and financing would play a crucial 
role in implementing the country's development plans amid the adverse global 
situation stemming from the recent conflict in the Middle East.

"The ADB's prompt support among multilateral development partners is highly 
commendable," he said, emphasizing that such cooperation would help 
Bangladesh sustain economic stability and continue its development 
trajectory.

Under the agreement, the $1.4 billion support will be channelled into four 
projects: the Strengthening Economic Management and Governance Program 
(Subprogram 2), the Second Strengthening Social Resilience Program 
(Subprogram 2), the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) 
Dhaka-Sylhet Corridor Road Project, and the Narayanganj Green and Resilient 
Urban Development Project.

The minister welcomed the ADB President and a high-level delegation, saying 
an announcement regarding a Nationwide Integrated Development Project would 
be made during a meeting between the ADB President and the Prime Minister 
tomorrow (May 25).

He said the long-term project aligns with the government's election manifesto 
and development priorities and is expected to make a significant contribution 
to improving people's livelihoods across the country.

The finance minister also expressed optimism that the longstanding 
partnership between Bangladesh and the ADB would play an even stronger role 
in advancing the country's sustainable economic and social development in the 
coming years.