DHAKA, March 21, 2020 (BSS) – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will support
Bangladesh in tackling novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak challenges, said
ADB Country Director for Bangladesh Manmohan Parkash.
Parkash was speaking after discussions with Finance Minister AHM Mustafa
Kamal in the capital, said an ADB press release today.
The discussions included the government’s preparedness for mitigating any
potential outbreak, its economic impact and possible ADB support following a
government request.
“The government of Bangladesh has requested ADB to provide assistance for
tackling challenges of a potential COVID-19 outbreak in the country,” said
Country Director Manmohan Parkash.
“As a long-standing development partner, the ADB is committed to assist
Bangladesh in this difficult time. We’ve initiated the process of quickly
exploring the financing modality and other details in close coordination with
the government and other stakeholders,” Parkash added.
According to the release, the global public health emergency, which has
been characterized by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a pandemic,
calls for urgent measures to respond to the disease as well as tackling its
economic fallouts.
ADB has recently announced US$6.5 billion initial package to address the
immediate needs of its developing member countries as they respond to the
COVID-19 pandemic.
ADB’s previous responses to COVID-19 include US$200 million made available
through ADB’s Supply Chain Finance Programme for companies manufacturing and
distributing medicines and other items needed to combat the pandemic.
ADB’s response to date also includes US$2 million announced on February 7
to enhance detection, prevention and response in the People’s Republic of
China (PRC) and the Greater Mekong Sub-region, another US$2 million announced
on February 26 to support response in all its developing members, and a
CNY130 million (US$18.6 million) private sector loan, signed on February 25,
to Wuhan, PRC-based pharmaceutical distributor Jointown Pharmaceutical Group
Co. Ltd. to support the continued supply of essential medicines and personal
protective equipment.
Another grant of US$600,000 was provided to Sri Lanka on March 13.
The ADB has a strong track record of responding rapidly to provide
targeted support to Bangladesh in times of emergencies including natural
disasters like floods and cyclones and other disasters like influx of people
in Cox’s Bazar camps from across Myanmar border.