Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Bangladesh on Sunday signed a technical assistance (TA) grant agreement of US$1,000,000 for improving urban planning, and traffic management in Gazipur City Corporation(GCC) areas.
The Government of Japan is financing the TA through the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction. ADB will administer the fund, and provide technical support for project implementation.
Saifuddin Ahmed, Joint Secretary, Economic Relations Division (ERD) signed the agreement on behalf of Bangladesh government while Stefan Ekelund, Deputy Country Director signed the agreement for ADB at a ceremony at ERD, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka. Hideshi Sasahara, First Secretary, Embassy of Japan in Dhaka, among others, also attended the ceremony.
The TA will design and propose a plan to implement an integrated urban development strategy along the GCC project corridor, and will enhance traffic management and traffic rules enforcement. The TA also includes comprehensive capacity building programs for key stakeholders and help raise awareness on traffic rules and road safety.
“This TA will improve general quality of life and situation of the poorest through the delivery of adapted solutions for traffic management, in favor of non-motorized transport and public transport”, said Stefan Ekelund, Deputy Country Director for ADB’s Bangladesh Resident Mission. “Safety of pedestrians will be improved and congestion will be reduced. The poor and the socially excluded will benefit from the project both directly and indirectly.”
ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth and regional integration.
BBN/SSR/AD-24Mar13-11:46 am (BST)
