Paris:The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) has announced a significant financial commitment to Bangladesh, including a £100 million climate policy loan slated for 2027 and an additional £40 million to support the water supply and sanitation sector in 2028.
According to United News of Bangladesh, these announcements were made during the 7th Annual Consultation Meeting (ACM) between AFD and the Government of Bangladesh, which took place in Paris on November 9-10. The meeting also included the signing of an amendment to the agreement on the Expertise and Capacity Building Fund (FERC).
The consultation reviewed the existing bilateral cooperation, AFD's project portfolio, and strategic priorities, aligning ongoing and future projects with Bangladesh's development agenda. Future cooperation is set to expand into new strategic areas such as technical and vocational education, skills development, and non-sovereign financing during 2029-2030.
The Bangladesh delegation emphasized priorities from the 5th Five-Year Strategic Framework for Development and Reform (2026-2031), seeking support for macroeconomic stability, capital market development, job creation, and renewable energy, among others. AFD affirmed its alignment with these priorities and its commitment to support Bangladesh's climate resilience.
AFD's current commitments in Bangladesh amount to US$1,754.81 million, covering 12 ongoing development projects. The commitments include US$1,736.19 million in loans and US$18.62 million in grants. The meeting was co-chaired by Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky of the Economic Relations Division and Cyrille Bellier from AFD. AFD's Country Director Cynthia Mela and other senior officials, along with Bangladesh government representatives, were present.