ADB Country Director Toru Shibuchi and LGED Chief Engineer Md Shahidul Hassan signed the lease agreement in the city on behalf of their respective sides.

The PLU has been set up to guide, monitor and oversee the work of the executing agency for implementing the PEDP-II, the country's biggest ever education programme aimed at reducing poverty and improving the quality of life for the children.

In consultation with the development partners, the ADB has decided to house PLU in an independent location to ensure its separate identity, said an ADB press release.

Accordingly, keeping in view the location of ADB's own building now under final phase of the construction, negotiations were held with the LGED to lease a portion of the fourth floor of its annex building for the purpose.

ADB is expected to move its new location by early June this year.

The PLU will operate under the management of its Bangladesh Resident Mission and will have an important liaison responsibility on the maters of PEDP-II.

The primary education directorate of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education is the executing agency while there are 11 development partners involved in the PEDP-II.