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ADB President's Visit to Strengthen Cooperation with Bangladesh
Dhaka, Bangladesh, 19 June 2004

DHAKA, BANGLADESH (19 June 2004) - Asian Development Bank (ADB) President, Mr. Tadao Chino, who will be visiting Dhaka from 21 June will reaffirm ADB's commitment and support to the Government's efforts to fight poverty in the country.

Mr. Chino will meet Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, Finance and Planning Minister M. Saifur Rahman, and senior government officials to discuss ways to foster sustained economic growth to help reduce poverty.

During his two-day visit, Mr. Chino will inaugurate the new office building of ADB's Bangladesh Resident Mission (BRM) at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka. In October 2002, Mr. Chino had, together with Mr. M. Saifur Rahman, laid the foundation stone for the building. BRM was established in July 1982 as ADB's first resident mission.

This is Mr. Chino's fourth visit to Bangladesh as ADB President.

Bangladesh joined ADB in 1973 and has received substantial assistance to finance development in all major sectors of its economy. ADB's long-term commitment to the socio-economic development Bangladesh' was reinforced with the signing of the Poverty Reduction Partnership Agreement with the Government in April 2000.

ADB's latest country program for Bangladesh focuses on fewer sectors to maximize development impact. ADB plans to lend Bangladesh $1,368 million in loans and $14.7 million as technical assistance for 2004-2006.

The Asian Development Bank 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 of which are from the region. In 2003, it approved loans and technical assistance amounting to US$6.1 billion and US$177 million, respectively.