Dhaka:Bangladesh and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) are charting the next phase of their nearly 50-year partnership to enhance rural jobs, private investment, and climate resilience.
According to United News of Bangladesh, discussions on these priorities took place during a three-day mission to Dhaka, concluded on Monday, led by Donal Brown, Associate Vice-President for Country Operations at IFAD. Brown met with Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and other stakeholders, including representatives from the Asian Development Bank, private sector, and rural finance partners.
The discussions centered on IFAD's upcoming financing cycle, IFAD14 (2028 to 2030), and ways to support rural development as Bangladesh prepares to transition from Least Developed Country status. The current IFAD financing cycle, IFAD13, has allocated $121.4 million to Bangladesh, with investments in six ongoing projects totaling approximately $2 billion.
Bangladesh has pledged $2 million to IFAD's 14th Replenishment, reinforcing its commitment to climate resilience, rural finance, and job creation for young people and women in rural areas. "Bangladesh has shown what strong national ownership can achieve," Brown stated, emphasizing the need for decent rural jobs and market access.
Valantine Achancho, IFAD Country Director for Bangladesh, mentioned that the next investments will align with the government's Five-Year Strategic Framework, focusing on rapid ground delivery and stronger partnerships.
Since 1978, IFAD has invested $1.13 billion in 39 projects in Bangladesh, impacting over 11.7 million households, making it IFAD's largest country program in Asia and the Pacific.