Planning Minister Muhammad Abdul Mannang joined the event as the chief guest, while Prime Minister’s Advisor for Private Sector Industries and Investment Salman F Rahman, and Principal Coordinator (SDG Affairs), Md Abul Kalam Azad were special guests.

Sirazul Islam, Executive Chairman, BIDA and Manmohan Parkash, Country Director, Bangladesh Resident Mission, ADB cochaired the event.

Country Director Manmohan Parkash highlighted the advantages of northeast region of Bangladesh with rich endowments of resources and strategic location.

He emphasised the need for comprehensive economic corridor development for coordinated and holistic development of industry, infrastructure and urban and rural areas.

“The study will identify promising industries in the region and propose infrastructure and urban services needs for planned industrial development, offering solutions for inclusive and regionally balanced high economic growth,” said Country Director Manmohan Parkash.

Over 130 participants including government officials, development experts, researchers and development partner representatives attended the workshop, which discussed matters about Northeast Bangladesh Economic Corridor (NEBEC) development prior to launching a study for detailing development priorities of the region.

The Poverty Reduction and Regional Cooperation Fund of the People’s Republic of China funded the workshop.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty.

In 2018, it made commitments of new loans and grants amounting to $21.6 billion.

Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.