The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Monday (28 April, 2025) hosted a business opportunities seminar (BOS) in Dhaka, providing a platform for accessing information on a wide range of ongoing and upcoming opportunities within ADB-financed projects and ADB private sector operations.
Over 500 participants consisting of suppliers, contractors, consultants, government officials, representatives of development partners, and members of the diplomatic community, attended the day-long program.
Mr. Md. Ehsanul Hoque, Senior Secretary, Road Transport and Highways Division, inaugurated the event. Various stakeholders, such as members from the Bangladesh Association of Consulting Engineers and Architects (BACEA), Bangladesh Association of Construction Industry (BACI), and Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI), were also present.
Mr. Jesper Pedersen, Director, Procurement, Portfolio, and Financial Management Department of ADB, delivered the keynote address. In his remarks, Mr. Pedersen highlighted ADB’s efforts to enhance its procedures to better meet the growing and evolving needs of developing member countries, with a strong focus on sustainability, transparency, and quality in procurement.
“ADB underscores higher skills and efficiency for accelerated project implementation as Bangladesh diversifies its economy, implements reforms to drive economic transformation, and graduates from the least developed country status in 2026,” said Country Director Hoe Yun Jeong.
“We are working with stakeholders to reduce procurement time while ensuring economy, efficiency, fairness, transparency, quality, and value for money.” “In line with ADB’s strategic direction on expanding private sector operations, we are also promoting private sector business opportunities” Mr. Jeong added.
ADB reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the growth of local industries, noting that Bangladeshi contractors and consultants have consistently demonstrated success in securing contracts both domestically and internationally. As ADB operations are projected to expand in the coming years, these opportunities are expected to grow further.
In its 52-year partnership with Bangladesh, ADB has mobilized over $62 billion in loans and grants, including cofinancing, to improve infrastructure, public services, and social development for the country’s people. ADB’s current sovereign portfolio in Bangladesh has 51 projects and programs worth over $12 billion.
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, 49 from the region.
