Bangladesh | World Bank

Status of projects in execution (SOPE) - FY09 : South Asia region - Bangladesh

The Status of Projects in Execution (SOPE) report for FY09 provides information on all International Bank and Rural Development (IBRD)/International Development Association (IDA) projects that were active on June 30, 2009. The report is intended to bridge the gap in information available to the public between the project appraisal document, disclosed after the Bank approves a project, and the implementation completion report, disclosed after the project closes. In addition to the project progress description, the FY09 SOPE report contains project level comparisons of disbursement estimates and actual disbursements, and a table showing the loan/credit/grant amount and disbursements to date for all active projects.

Bangladesh - Food Crisis Development Support Credit Project

Ratings for the Food Crisis Development Support Credit (FCDSC) Project for Bangladesh were as follows: outcomes were satisfactory, the risk to development outcome was moderately, the Bank performance was satisfactory, and the Borrower performance was also satisfactory. Some lessons learned included: the FCDSC holds important lessons for Bank's response to emergencies in Bangladesh. Credits processed in response to emergencies, especially food emergencies have to be processed quickly, must help shape Government's response and contain few if any structural reforms. The experience under the FCDSC also indicates that the informal assistance the Bank can provide in designing the Government's response to a crisis is just as important as the resources provided by the operation. Most of the Bank's assistance in the FCDSC was informal. The Bank must find a way to improve sharing of lessons from emergency response from other countries. Perhaps the experience gained under the Global Food Crisis Response Program (GFRP) framework will help in this regard. Experience with the operation shows that the Bank can be effective in providing emergency assistance even to countries where the overall governance environment is weak. The Bank worked closely with the government to prepare the operation in a timely manner, and continued its close engagement during the implementation period by monitoring funds allocated for safety-net programs and supporting the government's efforts to take remedial action to fix problems with the safety nets through analytical work.

Bangladesh - Power Sector Development Policy Credit Project

Ratings for the Power Sector Development Policy Credit Project for Bangladesh were as follows: outcomes were moderately satisfactory, the risk to development outcome was low or negligible, the Bank performance was satisfactory, and the Borrower performance was also satisfactory. Some lessons learned included: a) where there is a reasonable likelihood of policy continuity, it is important for the Bank to seize opportunities to help governments accelerate reform implementation. While country circumstances will vary and, inevitably, each country will exhibit highly specific characteristics, the reality is that opportunities for advancing reform are often fleeting; b) the Bank's operational flexibility enabled it to meet a number of objectives. Macro stability was bolstered with the provision of budget support. This had a larger importance, given the efforts to return the country to democracy through holding a credible election. Sector reform has been helped as well, though specific areas supported by the Development Policy Credit (DPC) show different levels of achievement, the overall direction of reform is being maintained; and c) it is critical, when doing one-off Development Policy Lending's (DPLs), that reform areas to be supported are areas of general interest and involvement going forward, ideally with a direct link to Bank operations, whether through investment lending or technical assistance. The engagement that the Bank team had on these issues was critical in the build-up to the power DPC, and has been critical in the results that have been achieved to date.

Bangladesh economic update

Overall, the macroeconomic indicators for FY09 suggest that Bangladesh has weathered the global economic crisis well so far. Low integration with the world economy helped cushion Bangladesh from the negative effects of the crisis. Annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth dipped slightly to reach a still healthy 5.9 percent in FY09. Lower international food and oil prices, combined with a bumper rice crop, helped bring down inflation. The external current account recorded a large surplus of US$2.5 billion because of strong remittance inflows, double-digit export growth and a declining import bill. The nominal exchange rate was kept stable through interventions by Bangladesh Bank to absorb the large influx of dollars from remittances. As a result, the official foreign exchange reserves reached a record high of nearly US$7.5 billion at end-June 2009. Meanwhile, the budget deficit and its domestic financing were largely contained in FY09. Despite robust annual growth, the second half of FY09 saw flagging growth in exports and remittances. While total exports (year-on-year) grew by an average of 20 percent in the first part of FY09, their growth fell to only 2.6 percent in the second half. Moreover, the overall export data masks the diverging performance of ready-made garment (RMG) exports and the non-RMG exports - with the latter registering negative growth in FY09. Remittances also show a similar pattern, with growth decelerating from 30.9 percent in the first half of FY09 to 15.7 percent during the second half. Performance of exports and remittances in FY10 will depend on the pace of recovery of the global economy.

Building a targeting system for Bangladesh based on proxy means testing

This paper develops and discusses a Proxy Means Test (PMT) based household targeting system for Bangladesh. The PMT model derived from household survey data includes observable and verifiable characteristics on: (i) household demographics and characteristics of household head; (ii) ownership of assets; (iii) housing quality, and access to facilities and remittances; and (iv) location variables in a formal algorithm to proxy household welfare. Simulations of the model suggest that the proposed PMT formula is able to improve the targeting efficiency a considerable amount when compared to existing targeted safety net programs. However, numerous implementation challenges remain which include but are not limited to a cost-efficient data collection process, effective management of information and a feasible and cost-efficient monitoring and verification system to minimize fraud and leakage.

Who migrates overseas and is it worth their while ? an assessment of household survey data from Bangladesh

The paper assesses the costs and household level benefits of migrating overseas from Bangladesh. The authors survey households who have had overseas migrants to assess their characteristics compared to non-migrants. They also compute various types of migration and remittance related transaction costs and discuss the channels by which overseas migration is financed, remittances sent and the constraints faced by the poorest. Using the Propensity Score Matching method, the paper finds that overseas migration conveys substantial benefits to families as measured by household consumption, use of modern agricultural inputs, and level of household savings. The authors also offer some possible policy directions to strengthen the returns from migration as well as reduce some of the costs.

Bangladesh - Investment Promotion and Financing Facility Project

Bangladesh - Chittagong Water Supply Improvement and Sanitation Project

Bangladesh - Additional Financing for the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Development Project

The objective of the Additional Financing for the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Development Project is to support Bangladesh's efforts to raise levels of social development and economic growth by increasing access to electricity in rural areas. The additional financing credit will help finance the costs associated with: (i) scaling up the project's renewable energy components which are improving off-grid electricity supply in rural areas through the installation of Solar Home Systems (SHSs) for affordable lighting, and also supporting electricity generation and supply from other renewable energy sources; (ii) introducing energy efficient Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) as part of a electricity demand side management program to help address the severe energy shortages in the country, which is particularly affecting the rural areas of Bangladesh; and (iii) rehabilitating additional electricity distribution networks in rural areas as part of the system loss reduction component of the project.

Bangladesh - Additional Financing for the Investment Promotion and Financing Facility Project

Bangladesh - Central Bank Strengthening Project : restructuring

The objective of the Central Bank Strengthening Project is to achieve a strong and effective regulatory and supervisory system for Bangladesh's banking sector. However, it is proposed that the two current project development objective (PDO) outcome indicators be replaced with three new indicators in order to ensure a more effective monitoring of progress toward meeting the PDO. These three new PDO outcome indicators are as follows: (i) acceptance and implementation by Bangladesh Bank (BB) of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP); (ii) acceptance and implementation by BB oft he banking application; and (iii) acceptance and implementation by BB of the data warehouse. The restructuring also entails three other actions: (a) extension of the closing date by 24 months to December 31, 2011; (b) the addition of four activities to the existing reorganization and modernization component of the project; and (c) reallocation of funds among the 10 existing subcomponents of the project.

Bangladesh - Additional Financing for the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Development Project

Bangladesh - Clean Air and Sustainable Environment (CASE) Project

Bangladesh - Additional Financing for Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Development Project : environmental management framework

The objectives of the Additional Financing for Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Development Project for Bangladesh will support: (i) scale up the project's renewable energy components that are providing affordable lighting in rural areas through the installation of Solar Home Systems (SHSs) and providing reliable electricity generated from other renewable energy sources; and (ii) introduce energy efficient Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) as part of demand side management to help alleviate energy shortages in the country. Negative measures include: air pollution; water pollution; noise pollution; natural habitats; and impacts due to waste storage: odor, visual intrusion, wind blown litter, attraction of flies, and rodents. Mitigation measures include: a) appropriate location of waste storage facilities (considering proximity to populated areas, human quarters, working areas etc.); b) consider treatment of raw biogas on site to eliminate hydrogen sulfide and ammonia content in order to prevent the formation of corrosive sulfurous, sulfuric and nitrogen oxides; c) planning and carrying out proper waste disposal practices (avoiding discharge of untreated effluents in nearby agricultural land or waterways); and d) provision of fire prevention measures in case of large plant.

Bangladesh - Clean Air and Sustainable Environment Project

The objective of the Clean Air and Sustainable Environment Project for Bangladesh is to improve air quality and safe mobility in Dhaka through the implementation of demonstration initiatives in urban transport and brick making. The project provides technical assistance and funding to implement demonstration environmental initiatives in the key air polluting sectors in Bangladesh. It also aims to improve the policies and regulations governing those sectors in order to improve air quality and the quality of life of Bangladeshi citizens. There are two components to this project: 1) environment: this project component is aimed at strengthening the environmental agency's capacity and capability to effectively address air pollution issues and demonstrate the effectiveness and efficacy of new approaches for reducing air pollution emissions through application to the brick industry and the transport sector; and 2) transport: this component will support capacity building through technical assistance and demonstration initiatives in urban transport in Dhaka that will focus on reducing conflict between motorized and non-motorized transport (NMT) and congestion, as well as providing safe and better mobility for those who walk and use public transport, particularly, working women. It will also help strengthen the institutional, policy, and regulatory framework for public transport, and help mainstream environmental considerations into urban transport related decision making.

Bangladesh - Railway Reform Programmatic Development Policy Credit Project

Ratings for the Railway Reform Programmatic Development Policy Credit Project for Bangladesh were as follows: outcomes were moderately unsatisfactory, the risk to development outcome was high, the Bank performance was satisfactory, and the Borrower performance was moderately satisfactory. Some lessons learned included: coordination among donors in terms of timing of support to the reforms and the investment loans was and continues to be critical for the success of this reform program. Since this operation was the first project the Bank developed with Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in the railway sector, agreement to the same reform matrix for Bangladesh Railway (BR) and signing of a memorandum of understanding were important mechanisms to improve coordination. This was further strengthened by joint supervision missions. In the context of a country with limited implementation capacity and considerable political uncertainties, opportunistic reforms are needed, as is the case with Bangladesh. Triggers for such operations have to be interpreted as indicative and subject to change, provided of course the changes are broadly consistent with the overall Government focus and are also likely to contribute to the outcomes being pursued. There is a need to maintain flexibility in the design and implementation of reforms to take account of unforeseen developments. Similarly being responsive to country conditions requires that donors, such as the Bank, build their engagement on reform initiatives that the government has taken, to assist with those reform steps the government can pursue in the near term, and to acknowledge that some reforms will have to wait longer than others under different political circumstances. Historically Bangladesh has not been in the forefront of reformist economies and for more than three decades now reforms have occurred in small rather than big steps. Indeed very often reform successes need to be judged on the basis of partial rather than full implementation of all components.

Bangladesh - HHK Kiln Efficiency Project : environmental mangement framework

The development objective of the Hybrid Hoffman Kiln Project (HHK) for Bangladesh is to improve the environmental sustainability of the brick making sector in the country by supporting the use of alternative cleaner brick-making technology. Negative measures include: soil erosion and sedimentation, noise pollution, waste management, dust, and loss of work opportunity due to converting agricultural land in brick kiln. Mitigation measures include: a) hauling of construction debris away from the site and their appropriate disposal in a sanitary landfill ; b) avoiding as much as possible, construction equipment producing excessive noise during school hours and also at night; c) adopting erosion control and soil stabilization measures; d) maintaining equipment in good working condition and where appropriate using noise suppressors, mufflers and acoustic hoods; and e) employment of local people in construction related works as much as possible.

Natural disasters, self-insurance and human capital investment : evidence from Bangladesh, Ethiopia and Malawi

This paper examines the impacts of disasters on dynamic human capital production using panel data from Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Malawi. The empirical results show that the accumulation of biological human capital prior to disasters helps children maintain investments in the post-disaster period. Biological human capital formed in early childhood (long-term nutritional status) plays a role of insurance with resilience to disasters by protecting schooling investment and outcomes, although disasters have negative impacts on investment. In Bangladesh, children with more biological human capital are less affected by the adverse effects of floods, and the rate of investment increases with the initial human capital stock in the post-disaster recovery process. In Ethiopia and Malawi, where droughts are rather frequent, exposure to highly frequent droughts in some cases reduces schooling investment but the negative impacts are larger among children embodying less biological human capital. Asset holdings prior to the disasters, especially the household's stock of intellectual human capital, also helps maintain schooling investments at least to the same degree as the stock of human capital accumulated in children prior to the disasters.

World Bank’s New Country Director Arrives Tomorrow

2009-11-10T02:15:00.000Z

Contacts:
In Dhaka: Mehrin A. Mahbub (880-2) 8159001 mmahbub@worldbank.org
In Washington: Erik Nora (202) 458 4735
enora@worldbank.org

November 09, 2009: The World Bank has appointed Ms. Ellen Goldstein as its new Country Director for Bangladesh. Ms. Goldstein will join the World Bank office in Dhaka tomorrow.
Ms. Goldstein joined the World Bank in 1988 as a macroeconomist, and served as a Senior Economist for Bangladesh between 1990 and 1993. For the past thirteen years, she has held managerial positions of increasing responsibility, including her most recent assignment as Country Manager for Burkina Faso.

For the past two years, Ms. Goldstein was on special assignment to the African Development Bank in Tunisia where she served most recently as Director of Quality Assurance and Results. Prior to that, she was Country Director for programs in nine West African nations.

Goldstein was selected through a competitive process at the World Bank. She replaces Mr. Xian Zhu, who is now the World Bank’s Director for Strategy and Operations for the South Asia Region.
Going forward, Ms. Goldstein will guide development of the World Bank’s strategy to support Bangladesh, in alignment with country priorities and in the context of the changing global circumstances. She will also give priority to further strengthening the capacity to manage public resources and deliver results for the people of Bangladesh.

In reflecting on her earlier experience in Bangladesh, Ms. Goldstein stated “I found a rich culture and wonderful people when I worked here in the early 90s. I am honored and excited to be returning to Bangladesh at a critical time in the country’s development. Working together with Government and the people of Bangladesh, I look forward to contributing to growth and poverty reduction in coming years.”

The World Bank had provided a record high in concessional IDA lending of US$1.1 billion to Bangladesh in the 2009 financial year. Currently, the World Bank in Bangladesh has 27 active operations, of which seven were approved by the World Bank Board in fiscal year 2009.

For more information on the World Bank in Bangladesh, please visit: http://www.worldbank.org/bd

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Steps taken to improve the Statutory Framework for Accounting and Auditing

2009-11-01T09:52:31.000Z

Contacts:
In Dhaka: Mehrin A. Mahbub (880-2) 8159001
mmahbub@worldbank.org
In Washington: Erik Nora (202) 458 4735
enora@worldbank.org

DHAKA, October 29, 2009: With a population of 150 million, Bangladesh has only 750 Chartered Accountants; far too few to meet the needs of the growing economy. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) signed a memorandum of understanding with its counterpart the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) on Monday to jointly work to develop the accounting and auditing professions in Bangladesh. Under the MoU, ICAB and ICAEW will continue to work for developing the new ICAB qualification, which will be based on full implementation of the changes made with the assistance from the ICAEW.

The leading professional accountancy bodies in Bangladesh, The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) and the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh (ICMAB) have to be strengthened to face the emerging global challenges. Availability of transparent and reliable financial information and an independent audit regime conforming to international standards are both essential for strengthening the country’s economy.

Speakers at the MOU Signing Ceremony stressed on the need to accelerate the development of the accountancy profession in Bangladesh. Nasir Uddin Ahmed FCA, ICAB President and Martin Hagen, ICAEW President signed the agreement on behalf of their respective institutions to enhance mutual cooperation. Muhammad Faruk Khan, The Honorable Commerce Minister was present as the Chief Guest.

The Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Commerce, along with the World Bank jointly facilitated the MOU Signing Ceremony under the umbrella of the technical assistance project Strengthening Auditing and Accounting Standards and Practice in the Corporate Sector.

“We commend ICAB for giving utmost priority to high-quality training programs by improving the curricula and quality of the teaching of accounting and auditing and by working with ICAEW to raise the skills and competencies in the profession to international standards” said Mohamed A. Toure, Country Management Unit, The World Bank. “I am hopeful that ICAB will play its role in enhancing the overall corporate governance by continuing its drive for excellence as one of the leading professional institutes in the country.”

The Honorable Commerce Minister lauded the role of the professional bodies in improving overall corporate governance while appreciating World Bank’s support to further strengthen the accountancy profession and education, and hoped for continued support in days ahead.

Strengthening the statutory framework of accounting and auditing in Bangladesh will help the country by improving the investment climate, attracting foreign investment, helping mobilization of domestic savings, underpinning securities market development, facilitating healthy growth of financial markets and enabling regulatory bodies.

The Government with the support of the World Bank has been focusing on a number of relevant areas including, formulating a Financial Reporting Act and establishment of an independent oversight body – Financial Reporting Council; capacity development of professional bodies through twining partnership with developed professional accountancy body; and improving professional education, training and Examination system.

For more information on the World Bank in Bangladesh, please visit: http://www.worldbank.org/bd

Improving operational performance will help Local Government Engineering Department deliver quality infrastructure to people

2009-10-15T10:30:00.000Z

Contacts:
In Dhaka: Mehrin A. Mahbub (880-2) 8159001
mmahbub@worldbank.org
In Washington: Erik Nora (202) 458 4735
enora@worldbank.org

DHAKA, October 15, 2009: The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) of Bangladesh has the institutional capacity to undertake most reforms, with no more than routine budgetary spending and staffing authorizations needed from other agencies, to better serve its vision of developing infrastructure for the benefit of the country’s citizens.

Speakers today at a workshop held on “Efficient Delivery of Rural Infrastructure” stressed on LGED’s excellent reputation for professionalism, but agreed with the department that significant challenges remain and these have to be addressed to promote efficient delivery of rural infrastructure. The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) and the World Bank jointly organized this workshop.

Following LGED’s efforts to improve governance and operation performance, an Operational Risk Assessment (ORA) was carried out with the support of World Bank to take a closer look at LGED operations.

“Effective implementation of the plan will require long-term commitment of LGED management, the LGD and partner agencies, politicians at all levels, the civil society and community groups. LGED will need to continue its commitment to maintain its high level of professionalism and to continue being a good example for other government agencies” said Tahseen Sayed, Operation Advisor, World Bank. “The payoff for such commitment will be more effective use of scarce public funds, and faster progress towards poverty reduction in rural Bangladesh.”

The workshop presented and discussed the Implementation Plan, drawn up from the ORA findings, listing risks facing LGED operation, measures to mitigate them, the responsible and cooperating agencies, milestones, dates, and estimated resources required.

"I am happy to learn that the exercise once again confirms the LGED’s excellent reputation for professionalism, including quality delivery of many contracts on time and on budget. However, the organization needs to have a dynamic process to manage such changes, so that it can remain effective” said Mr. Md. Monowar Hossain Chowdhury, MP and Member, Parliamentary Standing Committee, MOLGRD&C.

"LGED has the reputation as an “island of excellence” within the Government of Bangladesh, with high standards of professionalism, and comparatively robust risk management systems. This reputation stems in part from LGED’s willingness to undergo periodic organizational reviews and to implement the recommendations of each review. The present endeavor will help LGED to strengthen in its institutional capacity enhancing operational efficiency” said Mr. Monzur Hossain Secretary, Local Government Division (LGD)

The ORA Implementation Plan presents realistic solutions to minimize or eliminate operational shortcomings facing LGED, and highlights ways to monitor the activities of the LGED and LGD to ensure lasting compliance. It focuses on nine aspects, and provides detailed schedules for remediation for each: internal organization; information and communication technology; quality control; engineering design and costing; maintenance and asset management; road safety; land use and resettlement; financial management, and; procurement.

“The Department has the authority to improve its fiduciary and administrative management, construction and maintenance methods for infrastructure, and interaction with other government bodies” said Mr. Md. Wahidur Rahman, Chief Engineer, Local Government and Engineering Department. “Overcoming both governance and operational shortcomings will help LGED be more effectively involved in thousands of projects in rural and urban areas across the country.”

The workshop was attended by participants from Government, Union Parishads, civil society and international partner organizations.

For more information on the World Bank in Bangladesh, please visit: http://www.worldbank.org/bd

Clean Air and Sustainable Environment project launched to improve Dhaka’s air quality

2009-10-05T13:43:22.000Z

Contacts:
In Dhaka: Mehrin A. Mahbub (880-2) 8159001
mmahbub@worldbank.org
In Washington: Erik Nora (202) 458 4735
enora@worldbank.org

Dhaka, October 05: With already over 12 million population, Dhaka is projected to become the third largest city by 2020 with over 20 million population. Poor air quality in urban area creates serious health hazards, adversely affects environment and quality of life. To address air pollution in Dhaka, the Government of Bangladesh with support from the World Bank today launched an innovative project ‘Clean Air and Sustainable Environment (CASE). This is the first project that integrates environment and transport under one common objective of improving air quality.

It is estimated that if the exposure to urban air pollution were reduced by 20% to 80%, it would result in saving 1,200 to 3,500 lives annually and avoiding 80 to 230 million cases of disease. The concentration of the key air pollutant (Particulate Matter or PM) in Dhaka and other major cities has been alarmingly increasing in recent years, with an annual average much higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) thresholds.

The Clean Air and Sustainable Environment (CASE) project aims to improve air quality in Dhaka city by addressing two main air polluting sectors: the brick manufacturing sector and the transport sector. CASE is a 5 year project that became effective on August 19, 2009. The World Bank is providing US$62.20 million interest-free concessionary credit for the project.
“Poverty reduction and Environment sustainability are interlinked. Dhaka is one of the most densely populated mega cities with high risk of health hazards for its residents due to poor air quality.” said Mohamed Toure, Acting Operations Advisor, World Bank Bangladesh “World Bank is particularly happy to be able to support the Government to tackle Dhaka’s environmental, transport and traffic challenges through the innovatively designed CASE project focusing on reducing air pollution and safe mobility under a co-benefit approach”

The CASE project will provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Environment and Forest to improve air quality monitoring in Bangladesh. It will also introduce cleaner technologies, in the very polluting brick manufacturing sector. These energy efficient new technologies will reduce energy consumption and lower air pollution.

In urban transport, the project will introduce low cost measures to reduce conflict between motorized and non-motorized transport, reduce congestion and provide safer and cleaner mobility for pedestrian in pilot areas in Dhaka. Close collaboration between Dhaka City Corporation, Dhaka Transport Coordination Board and Dhaka Metropolitan Police is essential for the success of this project.

For more information on the World Bank in Bangladesh, please visit: http://www.worldbank.org/bd

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Bangladesh: Low-Cost Private Power Generation

2009-09-28T04:00:00.000Z

Last Updated: Sept 2009

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Bangladesh is a poor, densely populated country of about 162 million people. A longstanding impediment to economic growth and poverty reduction has been an inadequate and unreliable power supply. In the late 1990s, fewer than 30 percent of residents had access to electricity. The weak finances and limited capacity of the two main energy companies—Bangladesh Power Development Board and Dhaka Electricity Supply Authority—prevented them from filling the growing gap in power generation, suggesting that involvement by privately financed independent producers might be required. Unfortunately, the country had no experience building a major power plant with private funding, and prevailing constraints in the Bangladesh infrastructure market suggested that such an innovation was unlikely to happen anytime soon.

To address these challenges, the IDA-financed Haripur Power Project was launched in 2000 to increase electricity supply through low-cost generation. IDA crafted a framework for attracting private investments to the sector by offering partial guarantees to commercial lenders that offset certain risks related to government policy and regulatory regimes. At the same time, the Private Sector Infrastructure Development Fund worked to alleviate financial market constraints in Bangladesh by making long-term, dollar-denominated debt available for infrastructure projects with private participation. In addition to establishment of a financing facility, the project also assisted Bangladesh with the crafting of transparent procurement procedures, regulatory frameworks, and risk-sharing mechanisms for private sector infrastructure promotion and operation. The outcome was development of two cost-effective independent producers—the 360 megawatt Haripur and 450 megawatt Meghnaghat power plants sponsored by the U.S.-based AES Corporation.

Two new, well-maintained and reliable electricity plants in Bangladesh now generate 30 percent of the country's power, serving tens of millions of people every minute of every day. The plants at Haripur and Meghnaghat have dramatically altered the country’s energy profile, helping stoke economic growth and resolving the power crisis of the 1990s.

Highlights:
-Power that can be counted on. Haripur was online more than 96 percent of the time in 2008. Both plants are by far the best-operating, best-maintained and most reliable generating facilities in the country, operating nearly flawlessly since start-up.

-Power that costs less. In 2008, Haripur and Meghnaghat had unit costs of 1.93 cents per kilowatt hour and 2.47 cents per kilowatt hour, respectively, compared to the average cost of 3.4 cents per kilowatt hour for all independent power producers in the country and 3.8 cents per kilowatt hour for the Bangladesh Power Development Board. The two plants register the least expensive unit-cost performance by far, even when compared to older depreciated plants.

-Cutting-edge technology that is environmentally friendly. The two plants introduced state-of-the-art, gas-fired, combined-cycle technology for the first time in Bangladesh. Their environmental record is spotless, and they have received the highest level of ISO certification, having passed a rigorous onsite review of environmental, safety and health procedures.

-Maximum impact beyond installed capacity. Haripur began commercial operation in December 2001 and Meghnaghat in November 2002, adding a total of 810 megawatts of generating capacity to the power grid. Although accounting for 20 percent of Bangladesh's installed capacity, the two facilities are so reliable and efficient that they provide 30 percent of all generated power.

-A model for the sector. Private operation of the plants has become a paradigm for the Bangladesh Power Development Board as it restructures and corporatizes its generation entities. -A model for the sector. Private operation of the plants has become a paradigm for the Bangladesh Power Development Board as it restructures and corporatizes its generation entities. -A model for the sector. Private operation of the plants has become a paradigm for the Bangladesh Power Development Board as it restructures and corporatizes its generation entities.

IDA support for large-scale private generation projects in Bangladesh totals US$141 million, and an additional US$331 million has been leveraged. Of the US$183 million total cost for the Haripur Power Project, IDA provided US$60.9 million of support for commercial debt financing. IDA investment strategy in Bangladesh’s power sector targets specific service improvements by leveraging public and private investment in distribution, transmission and generation, by building institutional capacity and by enhancing the commercial operating environment.

AES Corporation, USA, a global independent power producer that owns and operates a large number of generation plants worldwide, was the original project sponsor. Initial plans called for the project to be financed by sponsor’s equity, the International Finance Corporation (of the World Bank Group) and commercial banks, with IDA providing partial risk guarantees. However, the deal with IFC and the original commercial banks fell through when the parties could not agree on certain terms and conditions of the loan facilities. AES later arranged for a US$60.9 million commercial loan syndicated by ANZ Banking Group with partial risk guarantees from IDA, scheduling the remaining debt as a Shareholders Loan (subordinated) and Senior Sponsor Facility (SSF). The outstanding SSF balance of US$32.7 million was later refinanced by the Dutch development bank FMO.

IDA’s strategy supports the government’s goal of connecting all households to the grid by 2020 through a focused program of public and private investment in power generation, targeted interventions in electricity and natural gas transmission, extension assistance in rural electrification, and re-entry into lending for investment in urban distribution and services. IDA’s support of policy reform spotlights the energy sector for particular attention. While the two power plants have made dramatic contributions to electricity service in Bangladesh, no major plants have been privately financed since Meghnaghat powered up in 2002.

Haripur Power Project (2000 - Closing date not available)
Project documents

For more information, please visit the Projects website.

‘CLIMATE SMART’ WORLD WITHIN REACH, SAYS WORLD BANK

2009-09-15T21:45:00.000Z

Contact
Erik Nora
(202) 458-4735
enora@worldbank.org

South Asian Countries Face Daunting Climate-Related Development Challenges

WASHINGTON, September 15, 2009 – If developed countries act now, a ‘climate-smart’ world is feasible, and the costs for getting there will be high but still manageable, says a new World Bank report released today. High-income countries also need to act quickly to reduce their carbon footprints and boost development of alternative energy sources to help tackle the problem of climate change.

World Development Report 2010: Development and Climate Change, released in advance of the December meetings on climate change in Copenhagen, says that advanced countries, which produced most of the greenhouse gas emissions of the past, must act to shape our climate future. Developing countries can shift to lower-carbon paths while promoting development and reducing poverty, but this depends on financial and technical assistance from high-income countries. A key way to do this is by ramping up funding for mitigation in developing countries, where most future growth in emissions will occur.

“The countries of the world must act now, act together and act differently on climate change,” said World Bank President Robert B. Zoellick. "Developing countries are disproportionately affected by climate change – a crisis that is not of their making and for which they are the least prepared. For that reason, an equitable deal in Copenhagen is vitally important.”

Countries need to act now because today’s decisions determine both the climate of tomorrow and the choices that shape the future. Countries need to act together because no one nation can take on the interconnected challenges posed by climate change, and global cooperation is needed to improve energy efficiencies and develop new technologies. Countries need to act differently, because we cannot plan for the future based on the climate of the past.

Developing countries will bear most of the costs of the damage from climate change. Many people in developing countries live in physically exposed locations and economically precarious conditions, and their financial and institutional capacity to adapt is limited, says the report. Already, policymakers in some developing countries note that an increasing amount of their development budget is being diverted to cope with weather-related emergencies.

Geography coupled with high levels of poverty and population density make countries in the South Asia region particularly vulnerable to climate change. The report says that that global warming of 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial temperatures — the minimum the world is likely to experience — could result in permanent reductions in GDP of 4 to 5 percent for South Asia.

The region’s water resources are likely to be affected by climate change, through its effect on the monsoon, which provides 70 percent of annual precipitation in a four-month period, and on the melting of Himalayan glaciers, particularly in the western end of the range.

Rising sea levels are also of important concern in South Asia, which has long and densely populated coastlines, agricultural plains threatened by saltwater intrusion, and many low-lying islands. In more severe climate-change scenarios, rising seas would submerge much of the Maldives and inundate 18 percent of Bangladesh’s land.

Agricultural productivity is one of many factors driving the greater vulnerability of developing countries. Extrapolating from past year- to- year variations in climate and agricultural outcomes, yields of major crops in India are projected to decline by 4.5 to 9 percent within the next three decades, even allowing for short- term adaptations. The report says the implications of such climate change for poverty — and GDP — could be enormous given projected population growth and high dependence of livelihoods on rain-fed agriculture in the South Asia region.

At the same time, the report notes that 1.6 billion people in the developing world lack access to electricity. In India alone, more than 400 million people do not have electricity. Those developing countries—whose average per capita emissions are a fraction of those of high-income countries—need massive expansions in energy, transport, urban systems, and agricultural production. Increasing access to energy and other services using high-carbon technologies will produce more greenhouse gases, hence more climate change.

India faces tremendous challenges in substantially altering its emissions path given its relatively efficient economy and limited endowment of clean energy resources and for carbon storage sites, the report says. India relies heavily on coal, which accounts for 53 percent of its commercial energy demand. Large potential exists, however, for improving energy efficiency and reducing transmission and distribution losses.

The report finds, however, that existing low-carbon technologies and best practices could reduce energy consumption significantly, saving money. For example, the report notes that it is possible to cut energy consumption in industry and the power sector by 20–30 percent, helping reduce carbon footprints without sacrificing growth. In addition, many changes required to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases also deliver significant benefits in environmental sustainability, public health, energy security, and financial savings. Avoided deforestation, for instance, preserves watersheds and protects biodiversity, while forests can effectively serve as a carbon sink.

With costs of renewable energy declining over the past two decades, wind, geothermal, and hydro power are already or nearly cost- competitive with fossil fuels, the report says. Thanks to innovation and technology diffusion, wind is now powering the first stages of what could become an energy revolution. And although most installed wind capacity is in Europe and the United States, the pattern is shifting. In 2008, India and China each installed more wind capacity than any other country except the United States and together they host nearly 20 percent of the world’s capacity.

Solving the climate problem requires a transformation of the world’s energy systems in the coming decades. Research and Development investments on the order of US$100 - $700 billion annually will be needed—a major increase from the modest $13 billion a year of public funds and $40 billion to $60 billion a year of private funds currently invested.

Developing countries, particularly the poorest and most exposed, will need assistance in adapting to the changing climate. Bangladesh, for example, is among the world’s most exposed countries to rising sea levels. Bangladesh is already doing much to reduce the vulnerability of its population. It has invested in a highly effective community-based early warning system for cyclones and a flood forecasting and a response program drawing on local and international expertise. But the scope of possible adaptation is limited by resources — its annual per capita income is $450.

Climate finance must be greatly expanded, since current funding levels fall far short of foreseeable needs. Climate Investment Funds (CIFs), managed by the World Bank and implemented jointly with regional developing banks, offer one opportunity for leveraging support from advanced countries, since these funds can buy-down the costs of low-carbon technologies in developing countries.

“Developing countries face 75-80 percent of the potential damage from climate change. They urgently need help to prepare for drought, floods, and rising sea levels. They also need to intensify agricultural productivity, contain malnutrition and disease, and build climate-resilient infrastructure,” said Justin Lin, World Bank Chief Economist and Senior Vice-President, Development Economics.

The current financial crisis cannot be an excuse to put climate on the back burner, the report warns. While financial crises may cause serious hardship and reduce growth over the short- to medium-term, they rarely last more than a few years. The threat of a warming climate is far more severe and long-lasting.

The earth’s warming climate is making the challenge of development more complicated, even as one in four people still live on less than $1.25 a day, and over a billion people do not have sufficient food to meet their daily basic nutritional needs.

“Grappling with climate shocks that are already hampering development will not be easy. But promising new energy technologies can vastly reduce future greenhouse gas emissions and prevent catastrophic climate change. We also need to manage our farms, forests, and water resources to ensure a sustainable future,” said Rosina Bierbaum, WDR co-director and Dean of the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and Environment.

“The good news is that a climate-smart world is within reach if we work together now to overcome inertia, keep costs down, and modify our energy, food, and risk management systems to ensure a safer future for everybody,” said Marianne Fay, WDR co-director and Chief Economist for Sustainable Development at the World Bank.

“There are real opportunities to shape our climate future for an inclusive and sustainable globalization, but we need a new momentum for concerted action on climate issues before it is too late,” said Robert B. Zoellick, World Bank Group President.

The World Bank Group’s "Strategic Framework for Development and Climate Change" puts emphasis on including mitigation and adaptation initiatives in its lending, while recognizing that developing countries need to encourage economic growth and reduce poverty.

The number of World Bank-financed studies that help client countries plan and implement low-carbon growth strategies are also growing, and the Bank Group’s energy financing is increasingly turning towards renewable energies and energy efficiency. Over the past three years, approximately two-thirds of the Bank Group’s total energy financing was in the area of non-fossil fuels whereas around one-third was for fossil fuels, of which half was for natural gas.

Access the report: http://www.worldbank.org/wdr2010
The World Bank’s climate change blog is at: http://blogs.worldbank.org/climatechange

Bangladesh: Investing in the Poor Brings Great Returns

2009-09-11T20:00:46.000Z

Last Updated: Sept 2009

Links:
- What is IDA?
- Our Work in Bangladesh

More on Bangladesh:
- Borrowing History
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In Bangladesh, half of its 160 million people still live below the poverty line, with about 80 percent of the poor in rural areas. While the country is renowned for its micro-credit initiatives, the poorest are not being reached, and many have accumulated a heavy debt burden through the system.

The IDA-financed Social Investment Program Project was launched in 2003 to directly benefit the poorest by improving their access to local infrastructure, basic services, and livelihood opportunities. It started as a small-scale pilot targeting two of the poorest districts, Jamalpur and Gaibandha. The project used an approach called community-driven development (CDD), which helped villagers form their own institutions and provided direct financing for investments directly into their hands. In 2007, the project was rapidly expanded to 8 more districts affected by devastating floods and Cyclone Sidr, using the CDD approach:

- Strengthening participatory community organizations that would work directly with both local governments and the private sector;
- Promoting and funding participatory planning so these community organizations could prioritize, implement, and manage demand-driven investments;
- Enhancing the skills of rural people, especially vulnerable women and youth, to help them generate income and get jobs; and
- Promoting savings and lending among the poor to gradually build livelihood assets.

Over 200,000 households (almost 2 million people) in about 1,000 villages in the poorest and most disaster-prone districts of Bangladesh have benefited from community infrastructure and productive investments (drinking water; access roads and bridges; and means to credit, markets, and income generation). Another 150,000 households in the cyclone- and flood-affected areas received benefits. The project demonstrated that the poorest villagers have the capacity to prioritize needs, manage resources, and implement subprojects — particularly women who occupy 80 percent of decisionmaking positions.

Highlights:
Community organizations blossom. The project established 950 community-level, pro-poor institutions; 18,000 small savings and credit groups; and 1,600 youth groups, all deciding about their priorities and managing project funds in a transparent way. Poor women occupy most decision-making positions.

Community infrastructure and social services address connectivity needs of the poor. About 1,300 infrastructure subprojects such as schools, rural roads, culverts, bridges, boreholes, and drinking water have improved quality of life of the poor. Communities implement and maintain these infrastructure investments.

Women expand savings groups. Eighty percent of target beneficiaries have formed nearly 15,000 savings groups, with 80 percent female membership. Ninety percent of these groups have started small-scale internal lending to members: almost US$1 million has been mobilized.

Flood-protection subprojects benefit thousands. About 90 flood risk rehabilitation infrastructure subprojects have been established in the flood-affected area, and potentially 30,000 families could benefit from the enhanced quality of life and risk reduction measures.

Credit and training boost micro-business. About 300,000 members have accessed financial resources to launch activities that generate income. In partnership with the garment industry, Grameenphone, and G-4 Security Services, the project trained village youth prior to job placement in order to build their interpersonal and professional skills, which has contributed to their ongoing successful employment.

The poorest get needed economic boost. Nearly 22,275 of the poorest and most vulnerable individuals have received occupational skills training and one-time grants for income generation.

In summary, the approach of village-based savings and lending — combined with empowerment, skills development, and livelihoods development — and necessary community-level connectivity has built a bridge for the poorest and neediest to cross from destitution to opportunity.

The Social Investment Program Project was launched as a pilot in 2003. The total project cost was US$22.5 million, with IDA financing US$18.2 million. An additional US$1.6 million came from the Government of Bangladesh, and US$2.7 million came from the communities themselves in cash or kind. The first additional financing to consolidate project success cost US$9.45 million, with US$8 million from IDA. Through emergency funding and special reallocation from existing programs, IDA financed both the US$50 million for the cyclone victims and US$25 million for flood-affected communities. Furthermore, IDA involvement has been instrumental in testing an innovative CDD approach and then disseminating lessons about cost-effectiveness, inclusion, and good governance. The lessons have permeated policy decisions among diverse development stakeholders in the country.

The DFID continues to be an important partner in strengthening the CDD approach and testing various innovative livelihood initiatives. The DFID technical assistance funds aid in translating the vision of the implementing agency — Social Development Foundation — into actions, by building team capacity in the field through effective service delivery and well-developed tools and procedures required for guidance and training of project teams and community members.

Initial success, coupled with urgent needs stemming from a series of natural disasters, led to rapid project expansion in areas affected by Cyclone Sidr and the floods of 2007. These new communities are benefiting from the full project approach, which is equipping them with new tools to improve their livelihoods. During initial discussions, one local woman remarked that the program would bring new life (notun jibon) to those who had endured abject poverty for so long. Thus, the additional financing for cyclone recovery is known locally as Notun Jibon.

Social Investment Program Project, 2003-09
Project documents
Makaldeniya Water Project, A Symbol of Ethnic Unity | Social Development Foundation

For more information, please visit the Projects website.

Denmark and World Bank enter into common climate project on energy efficiency in Bangladesh

2009-08-25T08:24:28.000Z

Contacts:
In Dhaka: Mehrin A. Mahbub (880-2) 8159001
mmahbub@worldbank.org
In Washington: Erik Nora (202) 458 4735
enora@worldbank.org

August 25, 2009, Dhaka: Using efficient and clean Energy in the brick making sector today received a boost with the signing of 2 agreements between the Infrastructure Finance and Development Corporation Limited (IIDFC) with the Government of Denmark and the World Bank respectively. The agreements will pave the way for purchasing greenhouse gas emissions reductions from 20 energy efficient Hybrid Hoffman brick kilns (HHK) at various stages of production and construction.

The HHKs use 50 percent less coal than the regular brick kilns. The coal fired HKKs will reduce green house gas emissions and other air pollutants. Therefore, the air quality in the densely populated areas around Dhaka would improve. The project involves a community benefits plan ensuring social improvement for the employees in the brick making sector such as making first aid room with regular visit by a medical practitioner, sanitary facilities and safety gears available.

“These agreements are hugely important as Bangladesh adopts new technologies that are better for the environment and particularly that improve air quality”. said Mr. Robert Floyd, Acting Country Director, World Bank Bangladesh.

Brick making in Bangladesh is a highly energy-intensive and carbon-emitting activity and is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Bangladesh, estimated to be around 3 million tons of CO2 annually.

The World Bank and Denmark will buy 189,000 and 60,000 emission reductions respectively. IIDFCL will act as the overall agent for the 20 brick kiln owners to sell the emission reductions. “The HHK owners can now earn revenues from sources - making and selling bricks and generating emission reductions and at the same time earn foreign exchange for the country. We are hopeful that this scheme will encourage other brick kiln owners to adopt HHK technology which offers multiple benefits”, said Mr. Md. Matiul Islam, Chairman of IIDFCL “we are proud to be associated with this pioneering project.”

“Denmark is delighted to participate in this project. It shows how the CDM mechanism can not only ensure greenhouse gas reductions but also lead to sustainable development through social and environmental improvements in the host area.” said Ms. Ulla Blatt Bendtsen, Deputy Programme Director, Danish Energy Agency “This is important to keep in mind ahead of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change taking place in Denmark at the end of the year”.

The HHK design combines a highly efficient kiln technology. Furthermore, wet clay and pulverized coal are mixed together when the brick is being made. The wet bricks are then first dried in a drying chamber using waste heat from the firing chamber. The dried bricks are then loaded into the firing chamber. In the firing chamber, the coal inside of the dry bricks then ignites and bakes the bricks. The combined use of waste heat and the internal combustion of coal reduce coal consumption per brick and green house gas emissions.

For more information on the World Bank in Bangladesh, please visit: http://www.worldbank.org/bd
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World Bank Vice President Reiterates Support to Bangladesh

2009-08-07T04:15:00.000Z

Contacts:
In Dhaka: Mehrin A. Mahbub (880-2) 8159001-28; mmahbub@worldbank.org
In Washington: Erik Nora (202) 458 4735; enora@worldbank.org

Dhaka, August 7, 2009 — Following up the progress of World Bank activities in Bangladesh since her last visit in March this year, Ms. Isabel Guerrero, World Bank’s Vice President for South Asia, concluded a four day visit to Bangladesh today.

During her visit, Ms. Guerrero met with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Finance Minister A. M. A. Muhit, other cabinet ministers and advisors to discuss the Government’s priorities, including infrastructure development and regional cooperation for economic development and poverty reduction.

At the meeting with the Prime Minister, in addition to support to the macroeconomic management and governance agendas, Ms. Guerrero reiterated that the World Bank is expanding its current program in the country. During the last fiscal year the World Bank committed a record $1 billion to Bangladesh. The World Bank is preparing its Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) through a consultative process and in alignment with Government’s priorities. The CAS will outline the World Bank's lending program for the next few years.

“The Prime Minister had a very clear vision of the country’s priorities. And it’s a vision that we can contribute to in terms of supporting its implementation,” said Guerrero. “The World Bank will support the priority sectors of power and infrastructure, human development, social safety nets, and water resources management including the Padma Bridge.”

On the infrastructure agenda, Ms. Guerrero stated that the World Bank remains engaged in the sector providing support to transport, power and energy. The World Bank will also be working with the government for the development of the Padma Bridge, an important project for connecting one third of the country’s population in the southwestern region. In addition to the previously committed $300 million, Ms. Guerrero announced that the World Bank will be providing an additional $160 million for the project.

Ms. Guerrero and Government explored a range of regional cooperation opportunities in water, trade, power. This was Ms. Guerrero’s third official visit to the country since assuming the Vice Presidency of the World Bank’s South Asia Region a little over one year ago. She also hosted the South Asia Regional Development Marketplace entitled “Family and Community Approaches to Improve Infant and Young Child Nutrition.” The competition was designed to identify the most innovative ideas to improve nutrition, focusing especially on children under two years of age and pregnant women.

Ms. Guerrero also stressed the importance of improving the implementation of World Bank funded programs. She commended the government for maintaining macroeconomic stability through the financial crisis while also focusing on the poor and most vulnerable.

For more information on the World Bank in Bangladesh, please visit: http://www.worldbank.org/bd
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The project Additional Financing For Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Development Project has changed to Active

2009-08-07T04:00:00.000Z

The project Additional Financing For Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Development Project has changed to Active. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

World Bank Provides Support to Increase Access to Electricity in Rural Bangladesh

2009-08-05T15:46:30.000Z

Contacts:

In Dhaka:

Mehrin Mahbub (880-2) 8159001-28 Ext. 4251

mmahbub@worldbank.org

In Washington: Benjamin Crow (202) 473 5105

bcrow@worldbank.org

WASHINGTON, August 4, 2009 —The World Bank today approved a US$130 million IDA credit to Bangladesh, designed to increase access to electricity through installation of affordable Solar Home Systems in rural areas.

This credit is additional financing for the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Development Credit, a project that since 2003 has connected 600,000 consumers to the electricity grid, constructed about 8,500 km of new distribution, and provided 320,000 consumers with Solar Home Systems.

Despite advances, access to electricity in Bangladesh remains low, currently around 40 percent. Power shortages and load shedding are severe, especially in rural areas, which hurt economic growth and industrial development. In addition, population growth, increased industrialization, additional connections, and rise in the use of modern, electrical appliances have boosted demand for electricity, currently growing at a rate of over 500 MW a year.

“Investing in grid electricity alone will not realize the Government of Bangladesh’s goal of universal access to electricity by 2020,” said Rob Floyd, Acting World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh. “This additional financing will be used to provide electricity to 300,000 households through solar home systems. Many of these households in poor areas are too remote to connect to the electricity grid and would never receive electricity through conventional electrification methods.”

A part of the additional financing will be used to purchase and install about 10 million energy efficient compact fluorescent lamps in densely populated areas in the country. These will replace an equivalent number of incandescent lamps.

“Lighting coincides with the peak load hours and contributes over 20 percent of the demand,” said Raihan Elahi, Senior Energy Specialist and Task Leader for the project. “Replacing these lamps, which will be free of charge for residential consumers, is expected to reduce the peak demand by about 360 MW.”

The project will support an ongoing renovation of the electricity distribution network as well as provide financing for renewable energy projects such as biomass and biogas power plants, solar water pump for irrigation, and solar mini grids.

The credit from the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s concessionary arm, has 40 years to maturity with a 10-year grace period; it carries a service charge of 0.75 percent.

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For more project information, please visit: http://www.worldbank.org.bd/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=295760&menuPK=295793&Projectid=P112963

For more information on the World Bank in Bangladesh, please visit: http://www.worldbank.org/bd

For more information, please visit the Projects website.

Bangladesh: Rural Electrification and Rural Energy Development Project [Additional Financing]

2009-08-05T13:02:42.000Z

WASHINGTON, August 4, 2009 - The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved the following project:

IDA Credit: US$130 million

Terms: Maturity = 40 years; Grace Period = 10 years

Project ID: P112963

Project Description: The Additional Financing for the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Development Project aims to support Bangladesh's efforts to raise levels of social development and economic growth by increasing access to electricity in rural areas. The additional financing credit will help finance the costs associated with: (i) scaling up the project's renewable energy components which are improving off-grid electricity supply in rural areas through the installation of Solar Home Systems (SHSs) for affordable lighting, and also supporting electricity generation and supply from other renewable energy sources; (ii) introducing energy efficient Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) as part of a electricity demand side management program to help address the severe energy shortages in the country, which is particularly affecting the rural areas of Bangladesh; and (iii) rehabilitating additional electricity distribution networks in rural areas as part of the system loss reduction component of the project.

Media Contact

Erik Nora

(202) 458-4735

enora@worldbank.org

For more project information, please visit: http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=40941&menuPK=228424&Projectid=P112963

For more information, please visit the Projects website.

The project Investment Promotion and Financing Facility is now in the pipeline.

2009-08-04T04:00:00.000Z

The project Investment Promotion and Financing Facility is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

World Bank Grant Competition Supports Innovative Approaches to Address Undernutrition in South Asia

2009-08-02T09:10:53.000Z

Contacts:

In Dhaka: Mehrin A. Mahbub (880-2) 8159001-28 Ext. 4251

mmahbub@worldbank.org

In Washington: Benjamin Crow (202) 473 5105

bcrow@worldbank.org

Dhaka, August 2, 2009 ─ Civil society organizations from across South Asia will gather in Dhaka this week to take part in a grant competition – the Development Marketplace (DM) – where they will display some of the best and most innovative ideas on how to improve nutrition in the region. The competition is hosted by the World Bank and is designed to showcase and fund such innovative approaches, focusing especially on children under two years of age and pregnant women.

Titled “Family and Community Approaches to Improve Infant and Young Child Nutrition,” the DM event will bring together 60 civil society organizations from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka who will compete for 20 grants of up to US$40,000 each to implement their ideas.

“The scale of the undernutrition problem in South Asia is alarming,” said Isabel M. Guerrero, World Bank Vice President for the South Asia region. “Around 45 percent of South Asian children are undernourished, which is 60 percent higher than the undernutrition rate of Sub-Saharan Africa. We have all seen the devastating effect of poor nutrition. It robs a child of a chance to succeed and live a healthy, productive life and contribute to national development. We hope this Development Marketplace initiative will raise awareness of the problem and arm people with knowledge and information that can help transform nutrition programs.”

This Development Marketplace was launched in February 2009 by reaching out to communities across South Asia seeking proposals for local, small-scale projects with the potential to be scaled up and replicated. In just over three months, almost 1,000 civil society organizations from across the region submitted proposals.

“This DM event will showcase innovative approaches that can be incorporated into local and national nutrition strategies and programming,” said Andrea Vermehren, World Bank Senior Social Protection Specialist. “Importantly, it will highlight the need to empower women within their families and communities to address the socio-cultural determinants of undernutrition.”

Many prominent organizations have partnered with the World Bank to support the South Asia Regional Development Marketplace, including UNICEF, World Food Programme, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Gates Foundation, PepsiCo, the Micronutrient Initiative (MI), GTZ (Germany), and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN).

The Development Marketplace is a competitive grant program that uses a participatory process to identify and support grassroots initiatives with innovative approaches to solving challenging development issues. Since 1998, the DM has awarded more than $54 million in grants.

For more information about the South Asia Development Marketplace, please visit: www.worldbank.org/nutritiondm2009

For more information about the World Bank’s work in South Asia, please visit http://www.worldbank.org/sar

World Bank Vice President visits Bangladesh

2009-08-02T04:15:00.000Z

Contacts:
In Dhaka: Mehrin A. Mahbub (880-2) 8159001;mmahbub@worldbank.org
In Washington: Erik Nora (202) 458 4735; enora@worldbank.org

Bangla Version

Dhaka, August 02, 2009: Ms. Isabel M. Guerrero, Vice President, South Asia Region of the World Bank, will arrive in Dhaka tomorrow. She will host the South Asia Development Marketplace on Nutrition, on August 5. The Development Marketplace is a World Bank competitive grant program that identifies and funds innovative, small scale projects with high potential for development impact.

During her visit Ms. Guerrero will meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. She will also meet with senior government officials, civil society and the private sector to further strengthen the partnership between Bangladesh and the World Bank.

This will be her third visit to Bangladesh as the World Bank Vice President for South Asia, a position she commenced on July 2, 2008. She oversees the World Bank's Operations in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Ms. Guerrero will leave Dhaka on August 07, 2009.

For more information on the World Bank in Bangladesh, please visit: http://www.worldbank.org/bd

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The project Chittagong Water Supply Improvement and Sanitation Project is now in the pipeline.

2009-07-23T04:00:00.000Z

The project Chittagong Water Supply Improvement and Sanitation Project is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project Bangladesh Revenue Administration Modernization Project has changed to Dropped

2009-07-11T04:00:00.000Z

The project Bangladesh Revenue Administration Modernization Project has changed to Dropped. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project Road Sector Reform Project has changed to Dropped

2009-07-11T04:00:00.000Z

The project Road Sector Reform Project has changed to Dropped. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

World Bank Group Directs US$6.6 billion to Help South Asia Overcome Poverty, Boost Growth amid Global Crisis

2009-07-02T21:12:14.000Z

Contact:

World Bank: Dale Lautenbach

(202) 473-3405

WASHINGTON, DC, July 2, 2009 – The World Bank Group committed US$6.6 billion in fiscal year 2009 (July 1, 2008 – June 30, 2009) to South Asia, focusing especially on reviving growth and protecting the poor amid the global economic crisis. This is an increase of US$1.1 billion over the previous year.

The Bank Group invested in 89 projects to promote economic growth, fight poverty, and assist private businesses, including nearly US$2 billion in infrastructure financing, a critical sector to provide the foundation for rapid recovery from the crisis and job creation.

Much of the Bank’s support focused on helping South Asian countries cope with the impact of the global economic crisis. For example, the Bank provided US$500 million to support the Government of Pakistan’s program to regain and maintain economic stability and steer the economy back onto a higher growth path. In India, a US$400 million loan was extended to improve access to finance for India’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) which face serious challenges in accessing adequate and timely financing on competitive terms.

“South Asian countries have been hard hit by a series of crises—food, then the fuel crisis, followed by the global financial crisis,” said Isabel M. Guerrero, World Bank Vice President for South Asia. “In response to the impact of these successive crises much of our work has been refocused to provide rapid financial assistance and policy advice to reverse the slowdown in growth and investment and to protect the poor and most vulnerable people.”

Globally, the World Bank Group committed US$58.8 billion in fiscal year 2009, up 54 percent from fiscal year 2008. Commitments from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)—which provides financing, risk management products, and other financial services to countries—rose sharply in FY09 to $32.9 billion for 126 operations, from US$13.5 billion the previous year. Commitments from the International Development Association (IDA), which provides interest-free loans and grants to the world’s 79 poorest countries, totaled a record US$14 billion in FY09, up 25 percent from US$11.2 billion in FY08.

“Requests for assistance from the World Bank Group rose sharply this year, and we expect this to continue well into 2010, as the pace of recovery is far from certain,” said World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick. “Millions of people are still suffering, and we must continue to help countries safeguard priority expenditures, including on essential infrastructure, investment in human capital, and social safety nets, or we will further jeopardize hard-fought gains over recent years in overcoming poverty.”

Within South Asia, India was the largest borrower from IBRD and IDA, accounting for US$2,242 billion. Pakistan was the second largest borrower with US$1,609 million (IDA), followed by Bangladesh at US$1,096 million (IDA).

IBRD and IDA Lending in South Asia (Amounts in millions of US dollars)
	IBRD	IDA	IBRD/IDA
Afghanistan		197	197
Bangladesh		1,096	1,096
Bhutan		20	20
India	1,286	956	2,242
Maldives		3	3
Nepal		139	139
Pakistan		1,609	1,609
Sri Lanka		122	122
Total	1,286	4,142	5,428

Key to the Bank’s strategy in South Asia is scaling up existing programs that are delivering results. For example, in fiscal year 2009 the Bank approved US$250 million for the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), a program the institution has supported since 2000. During this time, PPAF has facilitated the formation of 80,000 community organizations and provided 1.9 million micro-credit loans and 16,000 community infrastructure schemes. Similarly in Afghanistan, the Bank committed US$75 million to Afghanistan’s National Solidarity Program, a rural development initiative that has reached over 22,000 villages—about 68 percent of the rural population.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), which makes equity investments, and provides loans, guarantees, and advisory services to private-sector business, committed close to US$1.2 billion in 47 projects in FY09 in South Asia. A third of the commitments this year were in infrastructure to support the acute financing needs of the sector in the region. A quarter of the program focused on the financial sector and the balance in manufacturing, agribusiness, health, and education sectors. In response to the scarcity of trade financing after the global economic slowdown, the region committed US$100 million in trade finance facilities to support local enterprises. As many as 15 projects in the region have a climate change component.

Paolo M. Martelli, Regional Director for IFC South Asia, said, “IFC's priority has always been to stand by our clients in the private sector. In difficult times, our role becomes even more critical. This year, IFC focused on the region's needs in infrastructure, on renewable, and clean production projects with significant development impacts."

IFC’s strategy in the South Asia region supports inclusive growth by increasing access to infrastructure and finance, focusing on low-income, rural, and fragile regions and making climate change central to its work, targeting areas where IFC can make the biggest difference. Through its advisory work, IFC addresses critical areas such as business environment reform, sustainable supply chains, access to finance, infrastructure, energy efficiency, and clean production.

The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), the Bank Group’s political risk insurance agency, is also supporting development in South Asia. In Pakistan, MIGA guarantees totaling US$1.74 million supported the establishment of Kashf Microfinance Bank (KMB) to make financial services available to the majority of unbanked population. Over the next five years, KMB will reach 1 million small depositors and 350,000 entrepreneurs through a network of over 100 branches across Pakistan. The network will be supplemented by 300 service posts closer to low income communities.

“As the leading international institution promoting foreign direct investment in emerging and transition economies, MIGA can help investors mitigate risks in these uncertain times and play an important role in helping countries attract FDI,” said Izumi Kobayashi, MIGA’s Executive Vice President. “MIGA can act as a stabilizing influence in the market.”

For more information about the World Bank’s work in South Asia, visit http://www.worldbank.org/sar

For more information about IFC’s work in South Asia, visit http://www.ifc.org/southasia/

For more information about MIGA, visit www.miga.org

The project Additional Credit for Second Poverty Alleviation Microfinance Project has changed to Closed

2009-07-02T04:00:00.000Z

The project Additional Credit for Second Poverty Alleviation Microfinance Project has changed to Closed. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

This Project Paper seeks the approval of the Executive Directors to provide an additional Credit to the Peoples' Republic of Bangladesh for the Second Poverty Alleviation Microfinance. The additional credit will help finance the costs associated with scaling up the Urban Micro-credit component of the project to reach a hitherto underserved segment of the urban poor, which are the poor rickshaw-pullers affected by a ban on Non-Motorized Transport (NMT) in certain Dhaka roads. The additional loan will be passed-on by the Government as a grant to the apex microfinance institution called the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) for implementation of the expanded activities that will scale up the project's impact and development effectiveness. There will be no change to the Project Development Objectives (PDO), project components, implementation arrangements, and safeguard requirements. The additional funds will be added to two existing components: Mainstream Urban Micro-credit and Institutional Strengthening of PKSF, Partner Organizations POs and the borrowers. Funds added to the Urban Micro-credit component will be used by PKSF to create a revolving fund for financing the micro-credit loans of the POs to the target borrowers. Apart from direct micro-credit loans, the borrowers will also be provided with training in technical skills to facilitate career change. The funds for institutional strengthening will finance the cost of technical skill training of the borrowers, logistical support to the implementing POs and PKSF and monitoring, evaluation, learning and feedback.

The project Second Poverty Alleviation Microfinance Project (Microfinance II) has changed to Closed

2009-07-02T04:00:00.000Z

The project Second Poverty Alleviation Microfinance Project (Microfinance II) has changed to Closed. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project Additional Financing For Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Development Project is now in the pipeline.

2009-05-28T04:00:00.000Z

The project Additional Financing For Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Development Project is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

Project Signing: Bangladesh Receives US $ 62.20 million to improve urban air quality

2009-05-27T11:01:05.000Z

Contacts:
In Dhaka: Mehrin A. Mahbub (880-2) 8159001 Ext. 4251
mmahbub@worldbank.org

May 27, 2009, Dhaka: The Government of Bangladesh today signed a credit agreement worth US$ 62.20 million with the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s concessionary arm to help to improve air quality and safe mobility in Dhaka City. The World Bank Board approved the credit on May 12, 2009.

Greater Dhaka’s population is projected to reach 20 million by 2020. Poor air quality in urban area creates serious health hazards, adversely affects environment and quality of life.

The Clean Air and Sustainable Environment (CASE) project will reduce air pollution in Dhaka city by addressing two main air polluting sectors: the brick construction and the transportation.

“Air pollution is one of the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in Bangladesh” said Xian Zhu, Country Director, World Bank, Bangladesh. “The industrial and transport sectors are likely to grow manifold in Dhaka. This, in turn, will drive the growth of air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions, unless efforts are initiated immediately to reduce these sources of air pollution. We are happy to be able to respond to the Government’s request to tackle Dhaka’s environmental, transport and traffic challenges”

The agreement was signed at the Economic Relations Division today evening. Mr. Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, Secretary, Economic Relations Division and Mr. Xian Zhu, World Bank Country Director, signed on behalf of the Government of Bangladesh and the World Bank.

The credit from the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s concessionary arm, has 40 years to maturity, including a 10-year grace period; and carries a service charge of 0.75 percent.

For more project information, please visit:
http://www.worldbank.org.bd/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=295760&menuPK=295793&Projectid=P098151

For more information on the World Bank in Bangladesh, please visit: http://www.worldbank.org/bd

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The project Clean Air and Sustainable Environment (CASE) has changed to Active

2009-05-13T04:00:00.000Z

The project Clean Air and Sustainable Environment (CASE) has changed to Active. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

World Bank to Help Bangladesh Cut Urban Air Pollution

2009-05-12T20:29:02.000Z

Contacts:

In Dhaka: Mehrin A. Mahbub

(880-2) 8159001-28 Ext. 4251

mmahbub@worldbank.org

In Washington: Erik Nora

(202) 458 4735

enora@worldbank.org

WASHINGTON, May 12, 2009 —The World Bank today approved a US$62.20 million IDA credit to Bangladesh, designed to improve urban air quality through measures that will cut emissions in key polluting sectors such as transport and brick making.

More than one-third of Bangladesh’s population lives in cities and estimates suggest that more than half of the population will live in urban areas by 2050. Most of this population growth is concentrated in and around Dhaka, making it the eighth largest city in the world. The level of air pollutant in Dhaka and other major cities have steadily increased in recent years, with an annual average much higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. In fact, air pollution is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity related to environmental issues.

The Clean Air and Sustainable Environment Project will provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Environment and Forest to improve air quality monitoring in Bangladesh and through implementation of initiatives in urban transport will provide safe and better mobility in Dhaka. It will also introduce cleaner technologies, in the very polluting brick manufacturing sector. These energy efficient new technologies will reduce energy consumption and lower air pollution, hence improving overall environmental quality.

“Millions of Bangladeshis face serious health risks from poor urban air quality, resulting from rapid urban and industrial growth in the country,” said Xian Zhu, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh. “This project will not only help cut pollution and its health impacts and costs but also generate other benefits including better mobility in the case of transport and reduced energy consumption in the case o f small industries.”

In urban transport, the project will introduce low cost measures to reduce conflict between motorized and non-motorized transport, reduce congestion, and provide safer and cleaner mobility for pedestrian in pilot areas in Dhaka. Close collaboration between Dhaka City Corporation, Dhaka Transport Coordination Board and Dhaka Metropolitan Police is essential for the success of this project.

“The urban environmental problems in Bangladesh are numerous and inter-related,” said Maria Sarraf, World Bank Senior Environment Economist and Task Leader for the project. “Addressing these in a comprehensive manner requires coordination among a large number of sector ministries and agencies. This project is a first step towards the integration of environmental and transport concerns under one project.”

For more project information, please visit: http://www.worldbank.org.bd/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=295760&menuPK=295793&Projectid=P098151

For more information on the World Bank in Bangladesh, please visit: http://www.worldbank.org/bd

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For more information, please visit the Projects website.

Bangladesh: Clean Air and Sustainable Environment Project

2009-05-12T19:09:32.000Z

WASHINGTON, May 12, 2009 - The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved the following projects:

Bangladesh: Clean Air and Sustainable Environment Project

IDA Credit: US$62.2 million equivalent

TERMS: Maturity = 40 years; Grace = 10 years

Project Description: The objective of the Clean Air and Sustainable Environment Project in Bangladesh is to improve air quality and safe mobility in Dhaka. The project provides technical assistance and funding to implement environmental initiatives in the air polluting sections in Bangladesh. It also aims to improve the policies and regulations governing those sectors in order to improve air quality and the quality of life of Bangladeshi citizens. The project will also help strengthen the institutional, policy, and regulatory framework for public transport, and help mainstream environmental considerations into general urban transport policy.

Media Contact

Erik Nora

(202) 458-4735

enora@worldbank.org

For more project information, please visit: http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=40941&menuPK=228424&Projectid=P098151

For more information, please visit the Projects website.

Project Signing: Bangladesh Receives US $81 Million to build up Higher Education in Bangladesh

2009-04-05T08:30:00.000Z

Contacts:
In Dhaka: Mehrin A. Mahbub (880-2) 8159001
mmahbub@worldbank.org
In Washington: Erik Nora (202) 458 4735
enora@worldbank.org

April 5, Dhaka: The Government of Bangladesh today signed a credit agreement worth US$ 81 million with the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s concessionary arm to help improve the quality and relevance of teaching and research in the country’s higher education institutions.

The Higher Education Quality Enhancement Project will support both innovation and accountability within public and private universities and enhance the technical and institutional capacity of the higher education sector. The project’s main component is to establish enabling environment to stimulate teaching, improve learning, and boost research in universities, and introduce an efficient instrument for the allocation of public funds to universities.

The project also aims to integrate Bangladesh’s universities in the globalized world of knowledge. In this regard, the project will establish a Bangladesh Research and Education Network (BdREN), a high performance Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) network, which will enable academics, scientists, and researchers to connect and communicate with their peers within the country and globally.

The agreement was signed at the Economic Relations Division today morning. Mr. Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, Secretary, Economic Relations Division and Mr. Xian Zhu, World Bank Country Director, signed on behalf of the Government of Bangladesh and the World Bank.

For more project information, please visit:
http://www.worldbank.org.bd/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=295760&menuPK=295793&Projectid=P093988

For more information on the World Bank in Bangladesh, please visit: http://www.worldbank.org/bd

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Well designed safety net programs key at times of financial crisis

2009-04-05T08:00:00.000Z

Contacts:
In Dhaka: Mehrin A. Mahbub (880-2) 8159001; mmahbub@worldbank.org

Dhaka, April 05, 2009: Ensuring governance and transparency for maximizing the benefits from the 100 Days Employment Generation Program was stressed in a workshop today. At present, it is the country’s largest social protection program covering around 2 million people. It is very important to have well targeted social protection programs like 100 Days employment generation scheme and others to protect poor from effects of the Global Financial Crisis. The Ministry of Food and Disaster Management and the World Bank jointly organized the workshop to share the international best practices with the view to improving the design of the employment generation program.

The 100 days employment generation programs targeted the geographical pockets with high poverty rate. The program covered the poorest of the poor with 37% of the beneficiaries from bottom quintile. A recent joint evaluation by the FAO and BRAC Research Group concluded that the program is reaching the extreme poor and having a positive effect on household welfare but there are some areas in design that needs attention to further improve its performance. This program also helped to alleviate the worst outcomes in Monga in the northern region.

‘ The recent 100 day employment generation program is an important addition to the government’s existing set of safety net programs ’ said Xian Zhu, Country Director World Bank Bangladesh ‘However, it is very important to ensure transparency for the safety net programs to prevent the problem of leakages. World Bank is ready to help the government to introduce digital technology which can help to improve transparency. World Bank is also very keen to provide more financial and technical support to the government in expanding and improving Bangladesh's social safety nets in the time there wlll be urgent needs to help the poor and vulnerable people through the impact of the global financial and economic crisis.’

Increased use of information technology and MIS such as using mobile phone banking for payments can prevent leakages. The speakers also stressed on more and transparent information sharing so that both implementers and beneficiaries remain fully aware of the selection criteria.

‘ Transparency, governance and accountability mechanisms are key elements in the success of safety nets. ’ said Mansoora Rashid, Sector Manager, Social Protection, World Bank ‘ It is important to use an objective means test to identify beneficiaries of all programs rather than using separate criteria for each program to ensure transparency ’.

Incorporating the early lessons from its implementation and best practices from other countries can make the program even more effective for the poor.

Dr. Abdur Razzak, Honbl’e Minister for Food and Disaster Management was present as the Chief Guest. Mr. Md. Mokhlesur Rahman, Sectretary, Ministry for Food and Disaster Management chaired the session. Government officials and international and national experts were present among others.

For more information on the World Bank in Bangladesh, please visit: http://www.worldbank.org/bd
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The updated poverty maps to help targeted policy intervention for poverty reduction

2009-04-02T08:46:05.000Z

Media Contacts:
In Dhaka: Mehrin A. Mahbub (880-2) 8159001, mmahbub@worldbank.org
In Washington: Erik Nora (202) 458 4735, enora@worldbank.org

DHAKA, April 2, 2009: The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and the World Bank, in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP), updated the Poverty Maps for Bangladesh.
Poverty mapping is an important statistical instrument that can estimate the poverty incidence at Upazila levels. The new generation of poverty maps released yesterday is based on the Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) of 2005 and the Population Census of 2001. The updating exercise was financially supported by the UK’s Department for International Development (DfID).

Bangladesh has experienced significant poverty reduction over the past two decades. The poverty incidence declined from 57 percent at the beginning of the 1990s to 40 percent in 2005. However, a closer look to the recent reduction in the national poverty rate shows uneven progress amongst different areas and communities. In fact, there remain many areas where the incidence of poverty is far larger than the national figures would suggest.

The poverty maps enable government, civil society and development partners to identify poorer areas with great accuracy. Recognizing the geographical and regional variations and spatial inequality in growth and poverty allows for more effective targeting of policy interventions and programs based on local conditions.

“World Bank is happy to produce the new generation of poverty maps in collaboration with Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and World Food Programme (WFP)” said Xian Zhu, Country Director, World Bank. “These data will be very helpful for the government to plan and evaluate the poverty reduction strategy and resource allocation.”

Poverty maps can be constructed to show both poverty rates and extreme poverty rates. Hence, if resources are limited, a map of extreme poverty may provide a useful guiding tool for prioritization and programming of policy interventions and resource allocations. However, poverty maps need regular updates to reflect the gains and inequalities created by the rapid economic growth or the external shocks from natural disaster.

“In response to the demand for updating poverty maps of 2001, we started to produce new poverty maps in mid 2007” said A Y M Ekramul Hoque, Director General, BBS. “The poverty mapping exercise will strengthened BBS’ capacity to produce, update and use future poverty maps. Further these spatial data will be critical inputs in planning poverty alleviation strategy.”

“Updating poverty maps without a new Census is a daunting exercise” said Nobuo Yoshida, a poverty economist in the World Bank. “Bangladesh is among the first countries that overcame this challenge by adopting the latest methodological improvements. There is no doubt that the lessons learnt during this exercise will benefit development practitioners and researchers around the world.”

Comparing poverty maps with other maps of educational attainment, natural disasters, and access to markets and infrastructure, is useful to see potential bottlenecks of poor areas. For example, poverty appears to be highly associated with low agricultural wages. Agriculture wage rate in the west is lower than in the east, which may be one of contributing factors to why the western part of the country lags behind the eastern part in poverty reduction.

“The poverty maps being released today are critical inputs for WFP’s own planning, targeting, and the allocation of our resources.” Said John Aylieff, Representative, WFP “We look forward to working with the Government of Bangladesh, the World Bank, and all our partners, to ensure that these maps are widely accessible for use in programmes aimed at poverty and hunger reduction."

Poverty is also correlated with proneness to natural disasters and market accessibility. For example this is the case in the monga and coastal areas. Both areas are very poor and suffer from repeated natural disasters and limited access to Dhaka. In contrast, the areas between Dhaka and Chittagong cities enjoy proximity to the two growth poles and low incidence of poverty.

The poverty maps, along with maps of access to markets and infrastructure, can be used for assessing the economic and poverty impact of infrastructure investment. For instance, such a spatial database can show what areas are likely to enjoy benefits from the Padma Bridge. However, it is worth noting that such comparisons can be a good starting point for planning and more careful studies are needed to design planning and policy interventions.

For more information on the World Bank in Bangladesh, please visit: http://www.worldbank.org/bd

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The project Higher Education Quality Improvement has changed to Active

2009-03-19T04:00:00.000Z

The project Higher Education Quality Improvement has changed to Active. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The objective of the Higher Education Quality Enhancement Project in Bangladesh is to improve the quality and relevance of the teaching and research environment in higher education institutions through encouraging both innovation and accountability within universities and by enhancing the technical and institutional capacity of the higher education sector. There are four components to the project. The first component of the project is promoting academic innovation. The objectives of this component are to: (i) establish enabling conditions to enhance the quality and relevance of teaching, learning and research in universities; and (ii) introduce an efficient instrument for the allocation of additional public funds to universities with an emphasis on innovation and accountability. This component aims at instilling changes within the academic community in order to invigorate teaching, improve learning, and boost research, in areas of priorities for national development, relying on demand from this community. Second component of the project is building institutional capacity. The objective of this component is to reinforce the strategic and institutional capacity of the sector, both at the central level and at the level of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The component includes the following sub-components: (i) improving the strategic capacity of University Grants Commission (UGC); and (ii) strengthening universities' institutional capacity. Third component of the project is raising the connectivity capacity of the higher education sector. The objective of this component is to disenclave Bangladesh universities and to integrate them in the globalize world of knowledge. The main activity will be the establishment of a Bangladesh Research and Education Network (BdREN). The project will also facilitate access to the global repository of knowledge through subscription to a digital library. Fourth and the final component of the project is project management. The objective of this component is to ensure proper implementation, management, and monitoring and evaluation of the project. It would comprise two sub-components, aiming to reach this objective, namely: (i) project management; and (ii) monitoring and evaluation.

The project Legal and Judicial Capacity Building Project has changed to Closed

2009-01-01T05:00:00.000Z

The project Legal and Judicial Capacity Building Project has changed to Closed. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The development objectives of the Legal and Judicial Capacity Building Project for Bangladesh are to improve the environment for doing business by increasing the efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability of the civil justice system, and increase access to justice, particularly for women and the poor. The overall results of the project should provide a solid foundation for protecting against corruption and improving governance in the country. There are five project components. The first component strengthens court administration and reduces delays, improves case management, installs a court management information system and automation, provides training and upgrading of training facilities, provides other human resource needs that raise the stature of the judiciary and regulate the court performance of all levels of the judiciary, and upgrades court infrastructure. The second component improves access to justice by raising the level of gender sensitivity; developing an alternative dispute resolution mechanism, strengthening small cause courts, and improving access to legal aid; and promoting legal literacy and public awareness at the grassroots level, on a national level, and through the bar associations. The third, fourth, and fifth components strengthen the law commission and the ministry of law, finance studies that prepare for future reforms, and support project implementation.

The project Dhaka Water Supply and Sanitation Project has changed to Active

2008-12-04T05:00:00.000Z

The project Dhaka Water Supply and Sanitation Project has changed to Active. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The objective of the Dhaka Water Supply and Sanitation Project for Bangladesh is to improve the sustainable delivery of storm water drainage, wastewater and water services by the Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (DWASA) to the population of Dhaka. There are five components to the project. The first component of the project is rehabilitation and strengthening of existing sewerage system. This component will support the rehabilitation and strengthening of the existing sewerage system, including the rehabilitation of lifting/pumping stations, the rehabilitation and augmentation of the Pagla sewage treatment plant, the rehabilitation/replacement of trunk sewer mains and sewer lines, and the laying of branch sewers to expand the coverage areas within the existing Pagla sewer basin. The second component of the project is rehabilitation and strengthening of storm water drainage system. This component will support the rehabilitation and strengthening of the storm water drainage system by installing two pumping stations at critical locations (Rampura and Kamlapur) on the east of Dhaka city to alleviate periodic flooding in the city. The third component of the project is the implementation of environment and social safeguards. This component includes supporting the resettlement action plans (RAPS) associated with the rehabilitation of selected canals and the implementation of the environmental management framework. The fourth component of the project is to service provision to low income communities. This component will support the piloting of several core approaches for DWASA to extend and mainstream services provisions to low income communities and the strengthening of the capacity of DWASA to deliver water and environmental sanitation services to these communities. The fifth and the final component of the project is project management, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), consultations and communications. This component will support technical assistance for project implementation, project monitoring and DWASA's communications program. Project implementation support will include technical assistance for engineering, financial, legal, environmental and social monitoring and evaluation. Project monitoring and evaluation would cover activities aimed at: (i) ensuring compliance with fiduciary arrangements for the project, including annual independent financial audits; (ii) systematic quarterly technical, financial and operation performance review of DWASA; and (iii) carrying out mandatory midterm review and final review of the project.

The project Bangladesh Food Crisis Development Support Credit has changed to Closed

2008-12-02T05:00:00.000Z

The project Bangladesh Food Crisis Development Support Credit has changed to Closed. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The Food Crisis Development Support Credit Project in Bangladesh along with the Government of Bangladesh (GOB) has sought to reduce the impact on the most vulnerable groups: (i) food grain, particularly rice, is being made available to the poor at subsidized prices; (ii) existing safety net programs are being scaled up; (iii) a new safety net program, an employment guarantee scheme, has been initiated to help people in distressed areas-such as those that periodically suffer from extreme food shortages, known in the local dialect as Monga-abtain employment during lean agricultural periods; and (iv) ensuring the adequate and timely availability of farm inputs including seeds, fertilizer and diesel to farmers. The FY09 budget has significantly increased allocations to assist the poor deal with the food crisis. GOB has requested all stakeholders including the development partners to assist in this effort. The Bank has been requested to provide budget-support under its Global Food Response Program (GFW) to assist GOB'S measures to maintain macroeconomic stability, ensure food security in the immediate short-run, and help those affected by rising food prices.

The project Vocational Training is now in the pipeline.

2008-11-19T05:00:00.000Z

The project Vocational Training is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project Bangladesh Food Crisis Development Support Credit is now in the pipeline.

2008-09-17T04:00:00.000Z

The project Bangladesh Food Crisis Development Support Credit is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project Emergency 2007 Cyclone Recovery and Restoration Project is now in the pipeline.

2008-09-17T04:00:00.000Z

The project Emergency 2007 Cyclone Recovery and Restoration Project is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The Emergency 2007 Cyclone Recovery and Restoration Project is to support the Government of Bangladesh efforts to facilitate recovery from the damage to livelihoods and infrastructure caused by Cyclone Sidr and to build long-term preparedness through strengthened disaster risk reduction and management. The project will support a medium to long-term recovery program developed under the Joint Damage, Loss and Needs Assessment (JDLNA). This will cover restoration of the agricultural sector in the cyclone affected areas, and reconstruction of public infrastructure, including reconstruction and improvement of multi-purpose shelters and rehabilitation of coastal embankments with build back better designs. The project will build new disaster shelters, strengthen disaster risk reduction and management, support monitoring and evaluation of the project and its impact, technical assistance, strategic studies and training to strengthen future emergency response and preparedness to disasters. Most importantly it will support the preparation and initial implementation of the first phase of a fifteen year program for long-term disaster risk reduction. This is vital for Bangladesh as it is one of the most vulnerable countries to natural disasters and climate change.

The project Clean Air and Sustainable Environment (CASE) is now in the pipeline.

2008-07-18T04:00:00.000Z

The project Clean Air and Sustainable Environment (CASE) is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project Grameen Shakti Solar Homes Project is now in the pipeline.

2008-07-06T04:00:00.000Z

The project Grameen Shakti Solar Homes Project is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project BD Transitional Support Credit is now in the pipeline.

2008-05-02T04:00:00.000Z

The project BD Transitional Support Credit is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The Transitional Support Credit (TSC) will support the policy and institutional reform program of the Caretaker Government (CTG), which assumed power in January 2007. The transitional part of the TSC reflects the transitional nature of the political situation. The TSC will support a subset of the CTG's wide-ranging reform agenda, which is heavily focused on tackling critical and long-festering weaknesses in core governance functions. Notably, the reforms have sought to strengthen and enhance the autonomy of important institutions of accountability such as the election commission and the anti-corruption commission. Other measures have included separation of the lower judiciary from the executive, preparation of the right to information legislation, and formation of the regulatory reforms commission to streamline business processes. The CTG is also deepening economic reforms in a number of areas, including trade liberalization, macroeconomic stability, and strengthening public financial management and tax mobilization. The recently concluded joint damage, loss and needs assessment has outlined a long-term strategy that integrates structural and nonstructural interventions in light of the lessons learned from the natural disasters over last two decades. Central to this strategy is a long term disaster risk reduction framework which has five strategic pillars: (a) risk identification and assessment; (b) strengthening and enhancing emergency preparedness; (c) institutional and community capacity building; (d) risk mitigation investments; and (e) introducing catastrophe risk financing in the longer term.

The project Higher Education Quality Improvement is now in the pipeline.

2008-04-19T04:00:00.000Z

The project Higher Education Quality Improvement is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database