Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee has sought Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) continued support for sustainable water management and riverbank protection, expressing the government’s intent to deepen “quality economic cooperation” with the lender.
During a meeting with the newly appointed ADB Country Director for Bangladesh Qingfeng Zhang at Secretariat on Monday, Anee highlighted the need for a robust partnership to safeguard the nation’s water resources.
He expressed optimism that ADB would play an increasingly effective role in fostering sustainable growth, enhancing disaster resilience, and expanding regional cooperation to improve the living standards of the people.
Anee urged ADB to take a proactive lead in formulating and implementing transformative programmes in agriculture, the environment, natural resources, and rural development.
State Minister Farhad Hossain Azad, who also attended the meeting, described ADB as a “trusted development partner” of Bangladesh.
He requested the organisation to increase its assistance in technical cooperation, professional skill development, research, and the exchange of expertise regarding water resource management.
In response, Zhang noted that the lender operates one of its largest country-based programmes in Bangladesh.
He informed the ministers that ADB is currently working on a new Country Partnership Strategy to strengthen its engagement with the country.
Zhang further affirmed ADB’s interest in collaborating on projects related to sustainable water resource management, riverbank conservation, and erosion prevention.
The meeting was also attended by Water Resources Secretary AKM Shahabuddin, Additional Secretary Khondoker Azim Ahmed, and Additional Secretary Md Enamul Haque.
