The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and Bangladesh hold the 6th Annual Consultation Meeting

On 27 November, the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Government of Bangladesh (GOB) organized 6th Annual Consultation Meeting in Dhaka. Annual consultation meetings (ACM) GoB and AFD are held on an annual basis, alternatively in Dhaka and Paris and the last ACM was held in Paris. The cooperation between the GOB, and AFD, the existing portfolio and strategic issues were reviewed in the 6th ACM. The AFD supported ongoing projects and pipeline projects were discussed in line with the new development agenda and the priorities of the Government.   

With particular reference to the ongoing reform initiatives of the interim government, Bangladesh side stressed on the macroeconomic challenges and emphasized the need of financial and technical support in areas of good governance, management and recovery of monetary and credit situation, management of capital market, control of inflation, employment generation and poverty reduction. The sector wise priorities and expectations of Bangladesh for technical and financial support especially for green energy, road safety management, capacity building, implementation of National Adaptation Plan, collaboration on low carbon infrastructure, capital market development, green bond, natural resource management, biodiversity protection, water supply and sanitation, creating employment opportunities, promoting climate resilient Cottage, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (CMSMEs), support in reforms initiatives and strengthening institutions, and awareness building for climate-resilience were categorically discussed.  

AFD side endorsed the requests from Bangladesh side mentioning that the needs are quite aligned with the strategies of AFD and as such they are willing to continue the collaboration in line with the discussions of priorities and needs of Bangladesh. Further, AFD side assured that the Group will remain committed on a more focused agenda on Climate and Adaptation with a variety of tools and expertise, in order to support Bangladesh in its resilience.

The AFD continues to be a trusted partner of Bangladesh offering financial assistance in undertaking macro level development projects since 2012. At present, AFD is funding 13 (Thirteen) on-going projects with the net support of Euro 1341.86 million including Euro 650.00 million budget support, Euro 671.97 million Loan and Euro 19.89 million grants. AFD has provided a total of $1409.38 million so far of which $ 1,076.93 million was concessional term loan and $332.44 as grants.

The 6th Annual Consultation Meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary, Economic Relations Division of ministry of Finance, and Mr. Cyrille BELLIER, Head of Department, Europe Middle-East and Asia, AFD. The Country Director of AFD Ms. Cynthia Mela and other senior officials of AFD, representatives from relevant Ministries/Divisions from the Government side were present in the meeting.

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