The Asian Development Bank (ADB), one of the major development partners of Bangladesh, will provide direct loans to the country’s private sector businessmen for implementing projects in mainly infrastructure and financial sectors. In infrastructure sector funding ADB attaches priority to energy (power and hydrocarbons), water supply, waste management and treatment, telecommunication, roads, ports, airports, and light rail system. They will also provide assistance for up-gradation and expansion of the existing infrastructure projects to enhance their operating efficiencies. In the financial sector ADB will provide loan to private financial intermediaries such as banks and non-banking financial institutions so that these institutions can, in turn, finance small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and micro enterprises.

The rate of interest of ADB credit is negotiable. ADB normally gives priority to such projects that reduce poverty and improve the standards of living of the poor. The integrity, success record, financial resources, and competence of the project sponsors and management are also considered. ADBs total support for any project may not exceed 25 per cent of the total cost of the project or $75 million, whichever is lesser. Loan maturity period can be as long as 15 years in providing assistance to the private sector. ADB uses equity investments, loans, guarantees or ADBs complementary financing scheme (CFS) to mobilise private investments

Any interested businessman or service-providing organisation can directly contact the country director of the ADB prior to submitting any project in this regard.