Making Renewable Energy a Success in Bangladesh: Getting the Business Model Right

More than three quarters of Bangladeshis in rural areas have no electricity in their homes, forcing the villagers to complete their work during daylight. This paper analyzes the success of the solar home system program in Bangladesh, which today provides clean and reliable electricity to millions of people in off-grid areas.

Bangladesh–India Electrical Grid Interconnection Project: South Asia’s First Interconnection of Two National Grids

The People’s Republic of Bangladesh is grappling with energy deficiencies in the face of rapidly increasing demand for energy. To help bridge the energy gap in the country, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) assisted Bangladesh in securing energy supply from India through a cross-border grid interconnection project.

Read about ADB's other energy projects in Knowledge and Power: Lessons from ADB Energy Projects.

Visions of Asia's Water Realities

In 2001, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved its Water for All policy to promote water as a socially vital economic good that needs increasingly careful management. One imperative of the policy was to raise awareness on water challenges and the urgent need to address them.

Two years later in 2003, as part of a bank-wide water awareness program, ADB launched the Water Voices documentary series, a set of seven compelling documentaries about people finding local solutions to important water-related problems in Asia and the Pacific.

Responding to Disasters: Emergency Flood Damage Rehabilitation in Bangladesh

In 2004, Bangladesh suffered one of the most devastating floods in its history. Considered the country’s worst-ever in terms of geographic extent and economic damage, the floods affected 39 districts, including Dhaka. Economic disruption and serious damages to infrastructure and other assets inflicted heavy losses on agricultural and industrial output and slowed down growth in services. The combined losses to assets and output climbed to at least $2.3 billion. Almost 36 million people were affected and the death toll reached nearly 800.

Experience from Bangladesh: Universal Health Coverage Indicators and Digital Health Strategy

Global initiatives demonstrate the necessity of ICT in the establishment of an electronic health and social development tracking system. Recognizing ICT’s importance, the Government of Bangladesh implemented a digital health program through the Digital Bangladesh Vision 2009. A framework for monitoring universal health coverage in the country was also created.