Economy
“Bangladesh, World Bank ink $2.25bn loan deal for 5 projects”
Bangladesh has secured a $2.25 billion loan from the World Bank, which will be utilized to develop multiple sectors, such as regional trade and connectivity, disaster preparedness, and environmental management.
The financing agreements were signed by Sharifa Khan, the secretary of the Economic Relations Division, and Abdoulaye Seck, the Country Director of the World Bank in Bangladesh. The Ministry of Finance released a press statement confirming the loan agreement between Bangladesh and the World Bank.
During the signing of the financing agreements, both Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and World Bank President David Malpass were in attendance.
The loan agreement, which amounts to $2.25 billion, encompasses five distinct projects.
The first of which is the $753.45 million, Accelerating Transport and trade connectivity in Eastern South Asia (ACCESS) – Bangladesh Phase-1 Project. This project aims to improve the effectiveness and resilience of regional trade and transportation in Bangladesh and will be overseen by the National Board of Revenue, Roads and Highways Department, and Bangladesh Land Port Authority. Implementation of the project is scheduled to take place from July 2022 to June 2028.
Another project included in the loan agreement is the Resilient Infrastructure Building Project (RIVER), with a budget of $500 million. The main aim of this project is to minimize the vulnerability of the population residing in cyclone and flood-prone coastal areas of Bangladesh. Furthermore, the project seeks to provide secure shelter for humans and their resources, including livestock, during natural calamities such as cyclones, tidal surges, and floods. The Local Government Engineering Department of the Local Government Division will oversee the implementation of the project over a six-year period, from July 2022 to June 2028.
Included in the loan agreement is the $500 million First Bangladesh Green and Climate Resilient Development (GCRD) project, which aims to support the government’s transition towards sustainable and climate-resilient development. The project’s objectives are twofold: to improve public planning, financing, and delivery of eco-friendly and climate-resilient initiatives, and to promote sector reforms that enhance greener and more efficient production and services. The main implementing agency for this program is the Finance Division, and the budget support will be disbursed by June 30, 2024, subject to the fulfillment of specific prior conditions.
Also included in the loan agreement is the $250 million Sustainable Microenterprise and Resilient Transformation (SMART) project. This project’s primary objective is to promote sustainable and resilient green growth of microenterprises (MEs) in Bangladesh. The project intends to drive the transformation of the microenterprise sector into a more dynamic, lower-polluting, resource-efficient, and climate-resilient sector. Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) will be responsible for the implementation of the project, which will take place over a period of six years, from 2023 to 2028.
The loan agreement also includes the $250 million Bangladesh Environmental Sustainability and Transformation (BEST) project. The project’s primary objective is to enhance the Government of Bangladesh’s capacity for environmental management and to reduce pollution discharges. The Department of Environment (DOE) will lead the project’s implementation, with support from other agencies such as the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), Bangladesh Bank, and Bangladesh High-tech Park Authority (BHTPA). The project will be carried out over a period of five years, from July 2023 to June 2028.
Terms & Conditions
Bangladesh is receiving four out of five loans from regular IDA, with the First Bangladesh Green and Climate Resilient Development (GCRD) being the only one with both a Regular IDA loan ($176 million) and a Short-term Maturity Loan ($324 million). The Regular IDA loans are repayable over a period of 30 years, with a five-year grace period, and a service charge of 0.75% per annum and interest rate of 1.25% applied to the withdrawn amount. Additionally, a maximum annual commitment fee of 0.50% is payable on the unwithdrawn financing balance, although this has been waived by the World Bank for Bangladesh for many years, including the current financial year. The Short-term Maturity Loan, on the other hand, must be repaid over a period of 12 years, with a grace period of six years, and no service charge or interest applied to the withdrawn amount. The World Bank has been a key development partner of Bangladesh since 1972, committing a total of $40.4 billion in loan assistance and $722 million in grants for the country under 368 projects/programs.
Expatriate Bangladeshis sent approximately US$ 2.11 billion in remittances during the first 28 days of September in the fiscal year 2024-25, according to data released by Bangladesh Bank on 29 September.
Of this total, state-owned and specialised banks handled $679.10 million, while private banks received $1.43 billion in remittances.
Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has vowed to expedite reforms and hold elections swiftly. Yunus, who recently assumed the role after the collapse of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year administration, expressed his commitment during an interview with Tokyo-based news outlet NHK WORLD in New York on Sunday. He was attending the United Nations General Assembly at the time.
Following mass student-led protests that ended Hasina’s long-standing rule in August, Yunus stepped in as the leader of the caretaker government. Known for founding Grameen Bank, an institution providing microloans to the underprivileged, Yunus, along with the bank, earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts in poverty alleviation.
During the interview, Yunus emphasized that the interim government’s primary mission is to implement reforms promptly and ensure elections are held as soon as the groundwork is complete. He underscored the importance of success, stating, “Failure is not something that we can accept.”
Addressing the pivotal role of students in the ousting of the Hasina administration, Yunus acknowledged the sacrifices made by young people, referring to their involvement as part of a “revolution.” He highlighted his intention to engage the younger generation in shaping policy.
Furthermore, Yunus called for continued support from Japan, Bangladesh’s largest donor, during this crucial transition period. He stressed that Japan’s assistance is vital to stabilizing Bangladesh’s economy and fostering a democratic foundation in the nation.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the Adviser for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, announced today that steps will be taken to restrict the use of polythene shopping bags to safeguard future generations.
Starting from October 1, polythene bags will be banned in shopping malls, followed by a ban in kitchen markets from November 1.
“Everyone must take responsibility and stop using polythene voluntarily. Action against polythene producers will begin from November 1,” Rizwana Hasan stated during a seminar.
The Department of Environment (DoE) organized the seminar to raise public awareness about alternatives to banned polythene bags.
Rizwana Hasan highlighted that the restriction on polythene will be executed in phases according to legal provisions, and discussions with shopping centers and store owners are ongoing to ensure a smooth transition.
She also announced plans to make the government secretariat a plastic-free zone by December.
Other speakers at the seminar included Environment Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, DoE Director General Dr. Abdul Hamid, Director Rajinara Begum, President of the Shop Owners Association Muhammad Helal Uddin, and Md. Arifur Rahman Bhuiyan, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at BUP. They discussed the harmful effects of polythene and the need for alternative products.
Earlier, Rizwana Hasan inaugurated a fair showcasing eco-friendly alternatives to polythene bags and visited 24 stalls. The fair featured products from government and private entrepreneurs, including reusable bags, jute bags, paper bags, and items made from bamboo and cane.
