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Program Liaison Unit Established for Managing PEDP II

DHAKA, BANGLADESH (2 May 2004) - Recognizing primary school education as means of reducing poverty and improving the quality of life for children as well as a key area for investment and development, the government, in association with development partners, developed a program meeting its long-term goal of providing universal quality primary education. The program, known as the Second Primary Education Development Program or PEDP-II, would entail an estimated total cost of $ 1.8 billion with external financing of $ 654 million, or 36 per cent of the cost, over a six year implementation period commencing FY 2003-04. . The Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education (MOPME) is the executing agency. There are 11 development partners involved in PEDP-II. They are: Australian Agency for International Development, Canadian International Development Agency, Department for International Development of UK, European Commission, International Development Association, Japan International Cooperation Agency, Netherlands, Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, United Nations Children's Fund, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). ADB is the lead donor agency for the Program.

Under the design of PEDP-II, the lead agency, ADB, has established a Program Liaison Unit (PLU), which is to operate under the management of its Bangladesh Resident Mission (BRM). PLU is to guide, monitor and provide oversight of the work of the executing agency in program implementation. Besides these, PLU is to have important liaison responsibility on matters of PEDP-II. This is to have emphasis on coordination, reporting, information sharing as well as coherence between the Program and broader development efforts of the government and development partners. The PLU, even though a Unit administered by ADB, is to have a distinct identity representing donor consortium of PEDP-II.

To ensure PLU's separate identity, ADB has decided, in consultation with development partners, to house PLU in an independent location. Accordingly, and keeping in view the location of ADB's own building presently under final phase of construction, negotiations were held with the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. It has since been agreed that LGED would lease a portion of the fourth level of its Annex building for this purpose.

The document relating to the Lease has been signed to day. Toru Shibuichi, Country Director signed on behalf of ADB and Md. Shahidul Hassan, Chief Engineer, signed on behalf of LGED. PLU, presently housed in the BRM of ADB, is expected to move to its new location by about early June, 2004.

ADB is dedicated to reducing poverty in the Asia and Pacific region through pro-poor sustainable economic growth, social development, and good governance. Established in 1966, it is owned by 63 members - 45 from the region. In 2003, it approved loans and technical assistance amounting to US$6.1 billion and US$177 million, respectively.