For Bangladesh's future, Sheikh Hasina's reappointment as prime minister is important, according to Edimon Ginting, country director of the Asian Development Bank.

"Her (Sheikh Hasina) return was very much needed for the good future of Bangladesh," PM's deputy press secretary K M Shakhawat Moon told reporters on Wednesday (Jan 17), citing Ginting.

The official mansion of the PM, Ganabhaban, was the venue of the meeting.

According to Moon, the Prime Minister received congratulations from the ADB national director on being re-elected for a fourth term in a row. "ADB is very happy," Ginting informed her, "and we are always willing to work with Bangladesh."

He indicated interest in topics related to climate change and the energy sector.

The prime minister acknowledged that Bangladesh needs the ADB's ongoing assistance and expressed gratitude to the organization for continuing to assist Bangladesh in its development efforts and for pursuing value-adding projects in its top priority areas.

According to state news agency, she also commended the ADB for fulfilling its pledge to contribute the maximum amount of $3.6 billion in the previous year.

61 projects in seven key economic sectors of Bangladesh are now being funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB): transportation; energy; water and urban infrastructure and services; human and social development; agriculture; food; natural and rural development; finance; public sector management and governance.

Hasina asked the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to work on projects that address the major difficulties facing the Bangladeshi economy, with the most emphasis being placed on improving service delivery and logistics infrastructure.

She stated that Bangladesh anticipates receiving a bigger portion of ADB's climate funds due to the country's climate vulnerabilities and emergencies.

In order to support climate outcomes in line with Bangladesh's national aspirations, which are reflected in the "Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan 2022-2041," "National Adaptation Plan," and "Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100," the premier asked the ADB to increase its grant and concessional climate financing for the country.

She expressed gratitude to ADB for recently approving $400 million.

According to Sheikh Hasina, the ADB may hold early talks on certain budget supports that are in the works for FY 2023–24 and FY 2024–25 in order to guarantee their approval within the allotted period.

She anticipated that ADB would keep funding Bangladesh's key industries in order to support the nation in sustaining its current rate of growth and realizing its aspiration of becoming a "Smart Bangladesh."

Sheikh Hasina declared, "ADB will continue to finance projects in its prioritised sectors."