Bangladesh Country Assistance Strategy 2006-2009

CAS Main Text CAS Key Messages Brochure CAS Key Messages Brochure (Bangla) Bangladesh PRSP Press Release CAS Launch Q & A Results Slideshow

PRS Implementation Forum Bangladesh Fact Sheet DFID Bangladesh Profile ADB's Bangladesh Profile Japan's Bangladesh Page

The new Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) for Bangladesh places governance at the heart of the institution's program of support. The CAS covers the period 2006-2009 and envisages a program of around US$3 billion over four years.

Bangladesh has recorded impressive economic and social gains in the past decade.

These gains include:

• Doubled per capita growth
• Significant strides towards reaching many of the Millennium Development Goals (MGDs)
• Outperforming most low-income countries - as well as its South Asian neighbors with the exception of Sri Lanka - across various social indicators
• Gender parity in both primary and secondary level school enrollment
• Child mortality cut in half
• Significant increase in life expectancy since the 1990s

The strategy focuses on addressing sector governance and performance issues relating to the Country Assistance Strategy's twin pillars: improving the investment climate and empowering the poor, as well as strengthening Bangladesh's core governance processes and institutions.

The CAS was developed in close collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh, civil society, the private sector and academia, and consultation took place with the major political parties. For the first time, the strategy was jointly prepared with three other development partners, ADB, DFID and Japan.