Brussels, 17/01/2003 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has just approved the National Indicative Programme for co-operation with Bangladesh for the period 2003-2005. This country will benefit from a financial envelope of 411.5 million euro that will finance projects in the four areas identified as being priorities with the agreement of the recipients of the aid.
Here is the indicative distribution of the funds: (1) Basic health: - 120 million to: - combat HIV/AIDS, extend the geographic cover of care provided, beyond rural areas; - provision of drinking water to prevent the population being contaminated by the arsenic present in ground water; - nutritional issues; - improving the efficiency of the pubic sector by structural reforms, reforming medicine, regulation and good governance; (2) Education: - 135 million euro to support the primary education programme and NGOs active in the sector of education, and to encourage access to education for disabled children; (3) Food security and rural development co-operation: - 95 million euro to improve the situation of the poor population (especially women) and nutritional practices; (4) Trade: 23 million euro to strengthen the government's hand in the WTO trade negotiations (Doha agenda), and to support the export-oriented sectors of the economic.
Outside these priority sectors, 7.5 million euro will be allocated to supporting peace, the financing of small projects in local communities, as well as a long-term action plan in the field of water and natural resources, and 32.5 million will be earmarked to strengthen democracy (improving electoral procedures, promoting the democratic functioning of the parliamentary system, support for governmental activities aimed at improving human rights and access to justice for the poorest people.