Developing countries can follow Bangladesh's development model: WB

World Bank (WB) Executive Director Parameswaran Iyer said developing countries can follow Bangladesh's development model as he paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Ganabhaban on Thursday.

"Bangladesh made a phenomenal transformation in development with specific plans under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's prudent leadership. Other developing countries can follow Bangladesh's development model," PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim quoted Iyer as saying in a media briefing after the meeting.

According to Karim, the prime minister apprised the WB official of her government's uplift programmes to ensure Bangladesh’s overall development.

Bangladesh witnessed huge development as her government and party (Awami League) do everything after formulating specific plans, Sheikh Hasina said.

"Our main target is to alleviate poverty as we want to ensure a better life for every person," she said.

The WB executive director assured Bangladesh of extending cooperation in its infrastructure development in the next phase of advancement.

He said his organisation has already provided US$700 million for the relocation of Rohingyas.

The prime minister said the Rohingyas will have to return to their homeland Myanmar.

About climate change, she said Bangladesh has to suffer badly from the adverse impact of climate change despite the fact, "We are not carbon emitter”.

Iyer, however, told the premier that the WB will assist Bangladesh in implementing its Delta Plan-2100.

Sheikh Hasina said the WB is lending technical assistance for ecological restoration and ensuring navigability of rivers surrounding Dhaka city with a view to making the city more livable under an umbrella investment programme.

The WB official also appreciated the country's sanitation system, saying "Bangladesh's sanitation system is remarkable."

He also highly praised the private sector's role in the development describing it as thriving.

The prime minister said her government has given every required support to flourish the private sector.

"We have opened everything to the private sector," she said.

Alternative Executive Director of the WB Dr Ahmad Kaikaus, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Secretary Mohammad Salahuddin and Economic Relations Division Secretary Sharifa Khan, were present, among others, at the meeting.

/KN/