ADB Country Director Hua Du handed over plaques and certificates to the project directors, coordinators and project representatives at a function at ADB office in Dhaka yesterday.

Senior government officials, award winning project team members and ADB officials were present on the occasion, said a press release.

The award-winning project teams are Urban Governance and Infrastructure Improvement Project, and the Second Small Scale Water Resources Development Sector Project, both being implemented under LGRD and cooperatives ministry, and the Second Primary Education Development Programme under primary and mass education ministry.

"The awards were given in recognition of the project teams' excellent performance, efficiency, integrity, transparency in procurement, effective project implementation, achievement of targets, innovations, strong leadership, overcoming project start-up delays, efforts in women's empowerment and other criteria," Hua Du told the function.

The ADB, based in Manila, approved loans and grants for projects totalling $6.95 billion, and technical assistance amounting to $198.8 million in 2005.