UNB, Dhaka :
The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), a Saudi government agency that channels bilateral aid to developing countries mainly through grants and soft loans, is likely to provide $ 66 million for two Bangladesh’s two development projects in its health and education sectors.
“The SFD is likely to approve $ 30 million assistance for establishing burn units at four medical college hospitals in the country while another $36 million for developing Madrasah education system across the country,” ERD Additional Secretary Md Salim Reza told UNB.
He said the SFD in its Board of Directors meeting in December next is likely to approve the funds for the two projects.
Reza said once a $30 million fund is approved, it would be used to set up burn units at Rajshahi, Rangpur, Sylhet and Barisal Medical College hospitals alongside another at Madaripur district hospital.
Besides, the ERD Additional Secretary said, the SFD is also likely to approve $36 million for setting up smart classrooms for IT and Arabic language to improve Madrasah education system throughout the country.
The ERD (Economic Relations Division) formally sent official letters to Saudi Fund seeking funds for both the projects on July 29.
The SFD is also likely to provide $ 15 million as additional financing to its original financing of $53.34 million for the ongoing construction work of Mouchak-Mghbazar flyover project upon request from the government. Besides, the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) would provide another $ 6 million for this flyover project in addition to their original financing of $ 28 million.
The ERD official said a SFD mission, headed by senior specialist Abdullah Al Shdukhi, visited the country on May 26-30, and reviewed the implementation progress of the Saudi-assisted projects alongside ensuring funds for the two proposed projects.
Salim Reza said the SFD mission visited the site of the Mouchak-Moghbazar flyover project and expressed its satisfaction over the implementation progress.
The SFD mission also expressed its interest for funding such flyover projects in Bangladesh in the future.
About six ongoing projects being implemented with Saudi financing, the ERD official said the delegation expressed its satisfaction over the implementation status of the projects.
The SFD funded projects in Bangladesh are upgradation of National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital from 50-300 bed ones (SFD $15 million), 250-bed National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital Project (SFD $7 million), construction of flyovers in Dhaka (Moghbazar-Mouchak flyover project with SFD assistance of $53.34 million), construction of 3rd Shitalakhya Bridge Project (SFD $ 45 million), construction of Shikalbaha 225 MW combined cycle dual fuel power plant ($53.33 million) and construction of Teesta River Bridge project with SFD funding worth $ 50 million.
The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), a Saudi government agency that channels bilateral aid to developing countries mainly through grants and soft loans, is likely to provide $ 66 million for two Bangladesh’s two development projects in its health and education sectors.
“The SFD is likely to approve $ 30 million assistance for establishing burn units at four medical college hospitals in the country while another $36 million for developing Madrasah education system across the country,” ERD Additional Secretary Md Salim Reza told UNB.
He said the SFD in its Board of Directors meeting in December next is likely to approve the funds for the two projects.
Reza said once a $30 million fund is approved, it would be used to set up burn units at Rajshahi, Rangpur, Sylhet and Barisal Medical College hospitals alongside another at Madaripur district hospital.
Besides, the ERD Additional Secretary said, the SFD is also likely to approve $36 million for setting up smart classrooms for IT and Arabic language to improve Madrasah education system throughout the country.
The ERD (Economic Relations Division) formally sent official letters to Saudi Fund seeking funds for both the projects on July 29.
The SFD is also likely to provide $ 15 million as additional financing to its original financing of $53.34 million for the ongoing construction work of Mouchak-Mghbazar flyover project upon request from the government. Besides, the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) would provide another $ 6 million for this flyover project in addition to their original financing of $ 28 million.
The ERD official said a SFD mission, headed by senior specialist Abdullah Al Shdukhi, visited the country on May 26-30, and reviewed the implementation progress of the Saudi-assisted projects alongside ensuring funds for the two proposed projects.
Salim Reza said the SFD mission visited the site of the Mouchak-Moghbazar flyover project and expressed its satisfaction over the implementation progress.
The SFD mission also expressed its interest for funding such flyover projects in Bangladesh in the future.
About six ongoing projects being implemented with Saudi financing, the ERD official said the delegation expressed its satisfaction over the implementation status of the projects.
The SFD funded projects in Bangladesh are upgradation of National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital from 50-300 bed ones (SFD $15 million), 250-bed National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital Project (SFD $7 million), construction of flyovers in Dhaka (Moghbazar-Mouchak flyover project with SFD assistance of $53.34 million), construction of 3rd Shitalakhya Bridge Project (SFD $ 45 million), construction of Shikalbaha 225 MW combined cycle dual fuel power plant ($53.33 million) and construction of Teesta River Bridge project with SFD funding worth $ 50 million.
