South Korea to fund eye health, e-governance projects

South Korea will give $11.7 million in grants for two projects in Bangladesh.

Its development arm, KOICA, and the Economic Relations Division (ERD) signed ‘Records of Discussions’ (RD) on Monday.

“Eye Health Promotion and Prevention of Blindness in Selected Areas of Bangladesh” project will get $8.5 million while “Establishment of the e-Government Master Plan for Digital Bangladesh” will get the rest of the grant.

The health ministry’s Joint Chief (Planning) Niru Shamsun Nahar and the telecom and IT ministry's Joint Secretary Shyama Prasad Bepari joined KOICA Resident Coordinator Kim Bok-Hee, and ERD Additional Secretary Mohammad Asif-uz-Zaman in the signing.

South Korean Ambassador Lee Yun-young, and ERD Senior Secretary Mohammad Mejbahuddin witnessed the signing, KOICA said in a media statement.

The eye project aims to reduce avoidable blindness by providing “accessible and sustainable” eye care services.

Apart from many activities, three vision centres at Savar and Dhamrai Upazila Health Complex and Dhaka Export Promotion Zone (EPZ) Hospital would be set up under the project.

KOICA said the $3.2 million e-governance project would help develop the ‘e-Government Master Plan’ including the detailed plan of organisational structures, budgets and schedules.

This is part of Bangladesh’s “Vision 2021” goal.

Under those projects, Korea will help develop skills of the officials by sending its own experts.