ADB Reaffirms Support for Bangladesh’s Development Priorities During Meeting with Finance and Planning Minister

DHAKA, Bangladesh — Asian Development Bank (ADB) Country Director for Bangladesh Qingfeng Zhang met with Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury on a courtesy visit, as both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation on Bangladesh’s long-term development agenda.

The meeting focused on a range of strategic priorities considered critical to sustaining economic growth and enhancing the country’s resilience, according to officials familiar with the discussions.

Key areas of focus included the development of integrated growth networks, capital market expansion, water resources management, strengthening the water-energy-food security nexus, and advancing skills development to support a rapidly evolving economy.

Minister Chowdhury reiterated the government’s commitment to accelerating reforms and investments in these sectors, emphasizing their importance in achieving sustainable economic growth and improving the quality of life for citizens.

“The government remains firmly committed to advancing its development priorities through coordinated policies, infrastructure investment, and human capital development,” officials said following the meeting.

For his part, Zhang underscored ADB’s continued support for Bangladesh’s development ambitions and highlighted the institution’s readiness to deepen collaboration through financing, technical expertise, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.

The ADB country director reaffirmed the multilateral lender’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh in building a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive economy, while addressing emerging challenges linked to climate change, resource management, and economic transformation.

The discussions also explored opportunities for expanding cooperation in areas where Bangladesh faces growing development demands, including infrastructure modernization, resource sustainability, and workforce competitiveness.

Development analysts note that Bangladesh is seeking to strengthen its economic foundations through investments in infrastructure, financial market reforms, climate resilience, and skills enhancement as it works toward its long-term development objectives. International development partners such as ADB continue to play a significant role in supporting these efforts through financing, policy assistance, and institutional capacity-building.

ADB has been one of Bangladesh’s largest development partners for decades, providing support across sectors including transport, energy, urban development, education, water management, and climate adaptation. The latest meeting signals a continued commitment by both sides to deepen cooperation and accelerate progress on the country’s key development priorities.