Dhaka : The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has increased its assistance to Bangladesh for the next three years with a view to developing the country’s energy, power, water and transport sectors.

“Bangladesh is facing now a triple crisis-power, gas and water. We are raising the assistance so that the country can address the crises properly,” said visiting ADB Director General (South Asia) Sultan Hafeez Rahman when he called on Finance Minister Abul Mal Abdul Muhith at the latter's office on Monday.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Sultan Hafeez said that the ADB has increased their assistance to Bangladesh for the next three consecutive years to around US$ 33 million, or US$ 11 million per year.

The ADB high official said : “The Padma Bridge project is moving on and the government is well-prepared to take that forward.”

Replying to a question on Independent Power Plants (IPPs), Hafeez said the ADB fully supports the restoration of these plants. It has been involved in Meghnaghat power plant, the first IPP in Bangladesh, he added.

Finance Minister Abul Mal Abdul Muhith said they had discussed the Padma Bridge. "We told them about our preparations- the work will begin by this December," he revealed.

BDST: 0430hrs, April 20, 2010

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