The lending programme, consisting of 17 projects, will be placed before the ADB management for final approval, according to an ADB announcement in Dhaka yesterday.

Of the proposed loan amount, $ 618 million is expected to come from Asian Development Fund (ADF) and $ 750 million from the ordinary capital resources (OCR) with the annual average lending of about $ 456 million.

The proposed 2004-06 technical assistance (TA) programme includes a total of 28 projects for which ADB expects to provide $ 14.7 million.

The programme accommodates several thematic priorities, including promotion of the private sector, good governance, gender and development, and regional cooperation.

The programme will be reflected in the country strategy and programme update (CSPU) for Bangladesh, which will be considered by ADB's Board of Directorate in August this year. "Board endorsement is required before the CSPU can become operational," said an ADB release.

The bank concluded its CPM for 2004 with a wrap-up meeting at the Economic Relations Division (ERD) this week. ERD Secretary Mirza Tasadduq Hossain Beg presided over the final meeting.

The CPM concentrated on ADB's assistance to fewer sectors based on greater selectivity, strong commitments of the government to reforms and result-based programming, focusing on improving portfolio management.

It had also concentration on ADB's comparative strength and its long involvement in the sector as well as complementary with other development partners.

The CPM was conducted from February 25 to March 17 by the ADB country team.