China Eximbank provides RMB 860 million government concessional loan for Phase II of Info-Sarker Project (Linked to Project ID #38335)

On May 31, 2013, China Eximbank and the Government of Bangladesh signed an RMB 860 million government concessional loan (GCL) agreement for the Phase II of the Info-Sarker Project. The GCL carried the following terms: 2% interest rate, 20-year maturity, and 5 year grace period. According to a 2016 ODA report from the Economic Relations Division (ERD) of the Government of Bangladesh, RMB 767.325 million had been disbursed through the China Eximbank GCL by 2017. Phase II of the Info-Sarker Project, which is also known as the Development of National ICT Infra-Network for Bangladesh Government Phase II Project, sought to consolidate and link all Bangladeshi government offices — at both district and sub-district levels — under a single network. It was an extension of the BanglaGovNet project implemented by the Bangladesh Computer Council whereby all ministries/divisions, major departments, deputy commissioner’s offices, and upazillas were to be connected under an ICT Backbone Network. Phase II of the project involved significant improvements in the Bangladesh Government’s efficiency, transparency, effectiveness, and quality of services through the expansion of the network and other facilities established in Phase I of the BanglaGovNet project. China Machinery and Equipment Engineering Co., Ltd. and Huawei serve as the general contractor and major subcontractor for this project, respectively. This project, which was completed on or around March 4, 2016, ultimately brought 18,130 government offices at the district and sub-district levels under an ICT network, paving the way for the prime minister's office and other ministries and departments in Dhaka to establish direct communications around the country. 800 video conferencing systems were also installed at different offices, including the ministries, government departments, and training centers. Additionally, a disaster recovery center was established and a training center for developing ICT capabilities was established at the Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC).

Additional details

The Government of Bangladesh loan identification number for this China Eximbank GCL is L1120130531a. The project is sometimes also referred to as Phase II Project of Bangladesh National Infrastructure Network. China Eximbank also financed Phase III of the Info-Sarker Project (see Project ID#38335).

Number of official sources

8

Number of unofficial sources

10