A three-day conference of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) kicked off in Bangladesh capital Dhaka on Tuesday.

The event is aimed at further enhancing project design and implementation capacity of ADB-funded projects' executing and implementing agencies.

It covers topics on project design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation in addition to ADB's internal process and procedure.

Around 70 ministry officials and government project staff from Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka as well as ADB staff are participating in the event.

The program also includes a site visit to a facility under the Dhaka Water and Sewerage Authority on the last day. Senior ADB staff including directors and sector experts will conduct sessions.

"The event in Dhaka is the first regional initiative in South Asia for promoting sound design and efficient implementation of development projects," said Country Director Manmohan Parkash.

"Reflecting the recent corporate reforms in ADB, the event will promote deeper understanding of ADB processes and procedures, sharing practical experiences and insights, and discussion of new ideas in overcoming development challenges."

Emphasizing successful project design and implementation, Parkash said "While significant resources are allocated, it is important that projects are implemented expeditiously and completed timely so that people can benefit early and fully from the project outcomes."