WB vice president reiterates strong support to Bangladesh

Martin Raiser, vice president of the World Bank for South Asia, finished his two-day trip to Bangladesh on Tuesday and underlined the bank's ongoing commitment to assisting Bangladesh in achieving sustainable and inclusive growth.

Raiser's recent trip to South Asia included a stop in Bangladesh. Along with other senior government officials, he met with the governor of the Bangladesh Bank, the energy minister, the senior secretary of the ministry of finance, and the secretary of the economic relations division.

According to a press release, they talked about the World Bank's new national partnership framework for Bangladesh for the fiscal years 2023–2027 as well as the best ways to use the bank's assistance to help Bangladesh deal with the uncertainties of the wider world and the growing effects of climate change.

Raiser urged speeding up the pace of implementation of the World Bank supported projects.

"Bangladesh faces continued external pressures, which require careful macroeconomic management, but also a deepening of structural reforms to attract more private investment, boost jobs and strengthen resilience against climate shocks," said Raiser.

"We stand ready to redouble our support under our new country strategy and accelerated implementation of our large existing portfolio." added Raiser.

In the meantime, Bangladesh and the World Bank on Tuesday agreed to a $191 million funding agreement to support higher education and improve response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Higher Education Acceleration Transformation Project will promote higher education research, innovation, and regional and international collaboration.

It will make it easier for more women to enroll in top-notch higher education.