Asian Development Bank (ADB) Vice-President for South, Central, and West Asia Yingming Yang today concluded a five-day visit to Bangladesh, advancing senior-level consultations on ADB’s next Country Partnership Strategy (CPS), sustaining policy dialogue on key reform and investment priorities, and supporting the operationalization of the Integrated Growth Network Development (IGND) initiative. 

“Bangladesh is entering an important phase of its development journey, with a growing need to strengthen competitiveness, mobilize private investment, and build resilience,” said Mr. Yang. “Our discussions during this visit reaffirmed the strength of the ADB–Bangladesh partnership and underscored the importance of translating strategic commitments into sequenced reforms, bankable investments, and effective implementation. As a government-led initiative, IGND provides a framework for aligning reforms, investments, and institutions to unlock opportunities across regions, strengthen connectivity and productivity, and support Bangladesh’s long-term growth ambitions.” 

The visit reaffirmed the strong progress since ADB President Masato Kanda’s visit to Bangladesh in May. The Government and ADB have identified an annual ADB pipeline of more than $1 billion aligned with the IGND initiative and initiated investment promotion consultations with private sector representatives. Mr. Yang also advanced discussions on Bangladesh’s potential to serve as a regional hub for transport, logistics, energy, and digital connectivity through stronger regional cooperation and integration, with digital connectivity also highlighted as an important area for further exploration in support of Bangladesh’s ambition to become a regional hub.   

During a meeting with Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, discussions focused on aligning the next CPS with the Government’s medium-term reform and development framework, promoting private sector-led economic diversification, and strengthening resilience to shocks. They also reviewed progress and next steps on IGND implementation, including priority growth-node planning and pipeline readiness, and discussed banking-sector and capital-market development, renewable energy, and private investment mobilization. 

Mr. Yang delivered the keynote address at the national dissemination seminar on IGND in Chattogram, highlighting the initiative’s potential to strengthen links among growth centers, markets, and regional and global value chains. He emphasized that integrated investments in infrastructure, logistics, energy, urban development, and human capital can raise productivity, attract investment, create quality jobs, and expand economic opportunities across regions.  

He also held consultations on ADB’s next CPS with senior government officials, development partners, private sector leaders, think tanks, and other stakeholders. The discussions refined ADB’s proposed focus on private sector-led diversification and resilience to external and domestic shocks, including the reforms, investments, and implementation arrangements needed to deliver these priorities. 

During the visit, Mr. Yang also met Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Iqbal Hassan Mahmood; Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Abdul Awal Mintoo; Bangladesh Bank Governor Md. Mostaqur Rahman; and Prime Minister’s Adviser for Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, among others. The discussions addressed banking-sector and capital-market reforms, renewable energy and private sector participation, climate-resilient investment, digital transformation, and Chattogram’s role as Bangladesh’s principal maritime and economic gateway. 

In meetings with bilateral and multilateral development partners, Mr. Yang emphasized complementary programming, cofinancing, technical assistance, and coordinated policy dialogue, including opportunities to use IGND as a platform for aligning pipelines and addressing financing and implementation gaps. In consultations with private sector representatives and think tanks, he discussed reform priorities, implementation constraints, investment barriers, and opportunities to mobilize private capital under IGND. These inputs will inform the next CPS and ADB’s future operations. 

In Chattogram, Mr. Yang visited activities supported under ADB’s Skills for Industry Competitiveness and Innovation Program, where he reviewed how industry-linked training can support employment, productivity, and industrial competitiveness. 

ADB Country Director for Bangladesh, Qingfeng Zhang, accompanied Mr. Yang to meetings and events during the visit. 

ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—50 from the region.