The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Bangladesh have signed a $150 million loan agreement aimed at improving the country’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system. The initiative is designed to boost access to quality employment opportunities and enhance Bangladesh’s global competitiveness through workforce development. The signing ceremony took place in Dhaka, with Bangladesh’s Economic Relations Division (ERD) Secretary Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky and ADB Country Director Hoe Yun Jeong representing their respective institutions.
The program aligns with Bangladesh’s economic diversification goals and focuses on five critical technology clusters: mechanical, electronics and electrical, information and communication technology, civil, and food and agriculture. According to ADB, this investment supports national efforts to create jobs, reduce social exclusion, and ensure decent employment—key elements of the country’s Integrated TVET Development Action Plan (ITDAP).
The results-based financing, under the “TVET Teachers for the Future Program,” will concentrate on expanding modern teacher training across underserved areas outside Dhaka. It will improve the pedagogical and technical skills of TVET educators, particularly in emerging technology fields. The program also aims to strengthen institutional systems for teacher management, professional development, and performance reporting.
By the end of the program, at least 10,000 new and existing teachers will receive advanced training, which is expected to benefit more than 250,000 students. In addition, a nationwide system for continuous professional development will be established to maintain the quality and relevance of vocational training across the country.
As a leading multilateral development bank, ADB continues to support inclusive, resilient, and sustainable development across Asia and the Pacific. Through innovative financing and strategic partnerships, ADB works with member countries like Bangladesh to address complex development challenges and drive long-term socio-economic transformation.
