Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masatsugu Asakawa has told Education Minister Dr. Dipu Moni that ADB will invest $2 billion in Bangladesh’s education sector over the next 3 years.
Dr. Deepu Moni meeting with Masatsugu Asakawa at ADB office on November 25, 2022. During the meeting, the Education Minister and the ADB President discussed ongoing ADB-funded projects in Bangladesh’s education sector.
They also discussed future projects to be funded by ADB in the education sector of Bangladesh. Earlier, Deepu Moni attended a seminar on “How to heal the loss of learning from COVID-19 school closures” organized by ADB and “IFFEd (International Finance Facility for Education) Initiative and ADB Education Sector Directional Guide” and ” Strategic Thrust” was also discussed. According to a press release, on November 24, along with ADB officials for Bangladesh Education Sector Operations.
Dipu Moni thanked ADB for providing special budget support to Bangladesh during COVID-19 and funding vaccine procurement. He highlighted Bangladesh’s achievements in development, graduating from LDC status and plans to become a developed country under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He told the ADB President that the Government of Bangladesh attaches the highest priority to education. Acknowledging ADB’s contribution, Dipu Moni called for further ADB support in Bangladesh’s education sector, especially ICT and technical education in Bangladesh.
They requested for extended finance from the International Finance Facility for Education (IFFED), for which ADB is an implementing partner. He also mentioned that the Government of Bangladesh is implementing huge stimulus programs worth 6.23% of GDP to improve the livelihood of the vulnerable people recovering from the fallout of COVID-19. He said that the Russia-Ukraine war has put more pressure on the economy due to increase in fuel, fertilizer and food prices. He urged ADB to support Bangladesh with the Countercyclical Support Facility, which the country has requested.
ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa welcomed the Minister of Education and congratulated him on receiving the Gusi Peace Prize. He praised Bangladesh’s progress and achievements, especially in the social sector, women’s education and women’s empowerment. The ADB President emphasized equal access for all children to quality education, harnessing technology innovation in the education sector, and addressing climate change in development. He also mentioned the importance of increasing domestic resources.
He congratulated Education Minister Dr. Dipu Moni for becoming the champion on the International Finance Facility for Education (IFFED) and said that ADB will invest $2 billion over the next 3 years in the education sector in Bangladesh. He assured all support and said that cooperation between Bangladesh and ADB will be strengthened.
Dr. Deepu Moni invited him on behalf of the government to visit Bangladesh soon and see the comprehensive development taking place under the dynamic leadership of Sheikh Hasina and ADB President accepted his invitation and said that he would visit Bangladesh in 2023 .
