Dhaka, June 30 (New Age): External aid management showed
a mixed picture amid a fair rise in the foreign aid disbursement but
significant fall in aid commitment, indicating a slow development outlook for
the country.
The aid disbursement during the first 11 months of the
outgoing fiscal year saw nearly 14 per cent rise year on year, while the
commitments made by the multilateral and bilateral lenders dipped by around 38
per cent during the period, according to the latest data of the finance
ministry.
The officials at the Economic Relations Division of the
finance ministry said higher disbursement means the government ministries and
divisions have enhanced their aid utilising capacity.
On the other hand, they said a drastic fall in the
commitment suggests the country might receive lower than expected foreign aid
in coming years as lenders and donors remained shy in signing loan agreements
with the government.
The foreign aid made available during July-May period of
the outgoing 2013-14 fiscal year was US$ 2.61 billion, while the commitment
fell to US$ 3.46 billion, reveals the ERD figure.
The situation during the same period of the previous
fiscal year was positive on aid commitment as loan agreements for US$ 5.56
billion between lenders and the government were signed during the period.
However, foreign aid to the tune of only US$ 2.29 billion
was disbursed during the first 11 months of the previous financial year,
reveals the data of the ERD.
An additional secretary of ERD said they concentrated
more on aid commitments from the lenders as enhanced amount of commitments
boosts hope for the government to get more aid disbursed.
‘The picture of aid commitment has been discouraging till
May… but it will improve once the in the current month,’ the additional
secretary told New Age on Sunday.
He said a sort aid-fatigue among a number of major
lenders acted negatively on the country’s development efforts.