Selecting a strong sponsor with alignment on development targets is critical to achieving results. PRAN is a flagship company in Bangladesh with sufficient corporate experience, resources, and knowledge to develop and deliver agribusiness projects. Through its newly established group company, SAL, the project was constructed to appropriate standards on time and under budget. All the required permissions were obtained, and the project complied with government regulations and ADB requirements. Contract farmers and factory staff benefited from the project. Liquid glucose and starch production operations have stabilized and are profitable. These operations are supporting the introduction of cassava to Bangladesh at a commercial scale and PRAN is continuing to work toward optimizing the cassava crop for Bangladesh. In addition to the work carried out directly through this project, PRAN’s Habiganj Industrial Park site has participated in the Skills for Employment Investment program, which is co-sponsored by ADB and has employed workers at SAL. This evaluation recognizes the importance of selecting projects for ADB financing that are implemented by sponsors who are qualified to manage them and willing to work with ADB toward shared development objectives.
Sylvan Agriculture Limited PRAN Agribusiness Project