Bangladesh: World Bank Vice President, ADB Country Director meet Finance Minister
The World Bank (WB) Vice President for South Asia Martin Raiser called on Bangladesh Finance Minister A H M Mustafa Kamal in Dhaka on Tuesday. Martin Raiser had arrived on a three day visit to Bangladesh on Sept. 19. The Finance Minister called the World Bank an important development partner of Bangladesh. He thanked the WB for its support to various projects of the government in health, education, power, disaster management and other sectors. He gave special thanks to the WB for its budgetary support during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The World Bank Vice President said that Bangladesh is one of the highest IDA borrower countries. He said that on the occasion of the 50 years of relations between the WB and Bangladesh in 2023, it wants to showcase the achievements of Bangladesh with other countries. He assured that WB will always stand with Bangladesh in its development journey. Martin Raiser, in a tweet, said that he discussed action needed for continued economic resilience with the Finance Minister Mustafa Kamal.
In his meeting with Salman F. Rahman, Prime Minister’s Advisor on Private Industry and Investment, the WB Vice President discussed the economic challenges due to the Ukraine war, PPPs, regional integration and financial reforms needed for the private sector.
Martin Raiser also met the Governor of Bangladesh Bank Abdur Rauf Talukder and discussed macro economic situation and reforms needed to sustain inclusive growth. He also met other senior officials of the government during his visit.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) country director Edimon Ginting also called on Finance Minister A H M Mustafa Kamal at his office in Dhaka on Tuesday. The Finance Minister lauded ADB for its support for the social economic development of Bangladesh especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. He requested ADB to provide more development assistance to Bangladesh in view of the challenges of graduation from the LDC status to a developing country in 2026.
Country Director Edimon Ginting said that ADB is considering a loan assistance of about USD 2 billion for Bangladesh in the current financial year for the development projects undertaken by the government. ADB has provided a loan assistance of USD 27.55 billion to Bangladesh till now.
