Https, July 14 -- The coronavirus pandemic has slowed down the implementation of at least 40 of the 49 projects funded by the Asian Development Bank in Bangladesh.

Initial estimate shows that awarding of contracts may fall by 20 percent this year and disbursement of funds by 30 percent if no special measures are taken.

In six months till June 30, the achievement in awarding contracts was only 13.87 percent and that in disbursing funds 21.41 percent of the targets, show ADB documents.

"Given the Covid-19, special measures will be needed to speed up the project implementation as lockdown has seriously impacted the project progress," read the documents.

Against such a backdrop, the Tripartite Portfolio Review Meeting (TPRM) for the ADB-f...