European Investment Bank (EIB) President Dr Werner Hoyer has appreciated the use of Euro 1 billion loan portfolio for Bangladesh since 2000 in areas of shared priorities. He noted, in particular, progress in projects – under implementation – under water treatment and rail link upgradation. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina held a meeting with the EIB President recently at her hotel suite in Brussels. The prime minister referred to the achievements made so far in ensuring safe water and sanitation for nearly 97 percent of the population in Bangladesh. Also read: ‘Dear PM Hasina, 50th anniversary of EU-Bangladesh relations is the occasion to take our partnership to the next level’ She requested EIB to consider supporting river dredging, water conservation, and surface irrigation. PM Hasina also mentioned the initiatives taken by her government to develop dual-track railway, to promote cost-effective passenger and container traffic. She appreciated the interest of multilateral development banks in financing such impactful connectivity projects. The EIB president referred to the loan package of Euro 250 million signed in 2021, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday (October 26, 2023). He shared that the disbursement of the amount would commence soon for the purpose of health system strengthening. Also read: PM leaves for Belgium Tuesday on a significant EU visit The EIB president observed that Bangladesh was in an ideal situation to roll out vaccine production. The prime minister informed him about the measures taken by the government to develop a vaccine production facility and a molecular testing laboratory. She suggested that EIB extend support for necessary infrastructure development for these initiatives. She reiterated that Bangladesh could support EU’s efforts to diversify production of pharmaceuticals, vaccines and medical equipment. She also discussed possible support measures for combating dengue outbreaks, including through vaccines. The EIB is the largest multilateral public bank in the world. In 2022 it financed around Euro 10.8 billion in investments outside the European Union via EIB Global, the arm of the bank created that year for activities beyond Europe. Since the beginning of its operations in Bangladesh in 2000, the EIB has supported six projects in the country and has invested more than Euro 670 million in water, transport and health projects. Also read: PM Hasina asks EU to extend GSP+ facilities for 6yrs to graduating LDCs like Bangladesh END/UNB/MK/KW

One million marginalised people will get safe water and sanitation services at 45 upazilas of 14 districts from four climate hotspots through a new project implemented by Brac. The project "Equitable and Sustainable WASH Services in Bangladesh Delta Plan Hotspots 2022-2026" started its journey with an inception workshop Wednesday in the capital. The Dutch Embassy will provide financial support to the project. IRC Netherlands will join Brac as the implementing partner, according to a media statement. Md Khairul Islam, the Local Government Division's additional secretary for the water supply wing, said only 33 percent of households had hygienic latrines and 25 percent had unhygienic latrines in 2003. "Open defecation was very common." "Now in 2023, almost every family has access to latrines. The present status and sanitation of Bangladesh in coping with the challenges of climate change and global warming and in protecting the environment have been highly acclaimed by the development partners," he added. Dutch Ambassador to Bangladesh Anne van Leeuwen said her country and Bangladesh began a partnership with WASH in 2005. "Our partnership with Brac began just next year in 2006. Some aspects of the Bangladesh Delta Plan are huge and expensive. But there are WASH solutions also that are not expensive, and they are innovative too, in terms of ensuring equitability and sustainability," he added. Read more: Experts for increased allocation in water, sanitation, hygiene Asif Saleh, executive director of Brac, said, "We have progressed a lot but there are still 20 million ultra-poor in this country. The conversation has started everywhere that water is going to be the next scarcity. There is going to be a severe water crisis if we don't act now, and if we don't have serious planning in place." The Brac WASH programme implemented several projects with "innovative approaches and strategies" to achieve the goals of safe water and sanitation from MDGs to SDGs. In line with that, this new project is striving to improve the gap between access to and quality of services, especially for the marginalised communities in hard-to-reach areas.

Drinkwell Bangladesh, a US company providing safe and affordable water directly to residents of densely packed neighbourhoods in Dhaka, has received the Secretary of State's Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE) 2022 in the climate resilience category. "Drinkwell is building resilience to climate change in Bangladesh, where only about a third of the population has access to safe drinking water. That's critical for avoiding serious waterborne illnesses like cholera and typhoid fever," Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W Fernandez said at the award ceremony in Washington DC early Saturday. "As climate change warms our planet, droughts and rising sea levels are making clean water even scarcer, drying up some sources and contaminating other sources with seawater. So one of Drinkwell's founders developed a water purification system that's cheaper and that's more efficient. And it's easier to operate than other models." Read: Drinkwell, Bangladesh among winners of 2022 US Award for Corporate Excellence "The company has also created a new delivery method, ATM – ATM-style machines – that sell and dispense clean water in Bangladesh and are more accessible for people whose homes aren't connected to water pipes," the under secretary of state said. "For about eight years, since 2015, Drinkwell has created hundreds of jobs for people in Bangladesh and brought almost 200 million gallons of clean water to low-income communities in Dhaka, enough drinking water for hundreds of thousands of people a year." "Drinkwell is also a testament to the power of international exchanges. And one of the company's founders is a Bangladeshi American whose grandfather died of a waterborne illness," Fernandez said. Read More: BAT Bangladesh scoops up ‘ICMAB Best Corporate Award’ for sixth time "He – so he got a Fulbright – he got a Fulbright to study the problem and potential solutions to Bangladesh, and there he met a chemical engineering professor from an American university, and together the two of them went on to found Drinkwell." Earlier, the US Department of State's Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs announced four winners for this year's edition of the ACE award in the responsible business operations, climate resilience, and inclusive economic growth categories. The other winners of the award are Anova Indonesia, Gap India, and Intel Costa Rica. Established in 1999, the ACE recognises the crucial role US companies are playing in elevating higher standards of business conduct. Together, these companies are leading the way in addressing some of the greatest global challenges. Read more: Walton wins ICMAB Best Corporate Award

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday called for enhancing surface water by increasing the storage capacity of water bodies across the country, aiming to protect the biodiversity, boost fish production and ensure safe water for all.

The World Bank has approved $200 million to help Bangladesh improve access to safe water and sanitation services in rural areas.

Bangladesh and Japan on Monday signed an agreement on grant aid to help the Bangladesh government with a drilling rig for deep wells and related equipment to improve access to safe drinking water.

Students of many schools in Koyra upazila of the district have no access to safe drinking water as the ring tube-wells set up for them have gone out of order.