The Bangladesh Government has secured a $150 million loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to modernise technical and vocational education and training (TVET), with a focus on boosting job creation and expanding access to quality training across the country.
The loan agreement was signed on 3 August between Economic Relations Division Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky and ADB Country Director Hoe Yun Jeong at the ERD office in Dhaka.
According to ADB, the programme is designed to support the Bangladesh Government’s Integrated TVET Development Action Plan (ITDAP) and targets five high-impact technology clusters: mechanical, electronics and electrical, information and communication technology, civil, and food and agriculture.
“The initiative aligns with Bangladesh’s economic diversification agenda and responds to the need for job-oriented skills in emerging industries,” said Hoe Yun Jeong. “It promotes inclusive employment, reduces social exclusion, and enhances competitiveness in global labour markets.”
The loan will fund the TVET Teachers for the Future Programme, which aims to expand teacher training nationwide—particularly in underserved regions—and strengthen pedagogical and technical skills in line with industry trends.
At least 10,000 new and existing TVET instructors will receive upgraded training under the programme, with an anticipated positive impact on over 250,000 students. A nationwide professional development system will also be introduced to ensure long-term quality in TVET instruction and institutional management.
ADB said the support builds on its continued commitment to inclusive and sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific. The bank works closely with partner countries like Bangladesh to address development priorities through financial innovation and strategic cooperation.
Established in 1966, ADB now includes 69 member countries, with 50 from the region. It remains a key partner in Bangladesh’s education and infrastructure modernisation efforts.