Staff Correspondent, Dhaka
The World Bank (WB) has assured Bangladesh of continuing its assistance in ongoing projects, along with the budgetary support, Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed said on Sunday.
“It (World Bank) has expressed its satisfaction over the overall economic situation of the country,” Salehuddin told reporters after a meeting with the World Bank’s new vice president for the South Asia Region, Johannes Zutt, at his secretariat office.
He said that Zutt appreciated Bangladesh’s advancement, although it has been through a very tough situation in the past year.
“We are very much happy to see the progress of the financial sector, balance of payment, foreign exchange sector, all is going well,” the finance adviser quoted the World Bank official as saying.
He also mentioned that Zutt put emphasis on revamping the private sector, its development, and the enhancement of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country.
He said that Bangladesh is doing well overall compared to other countries in the world.
The adviser said Zutt recalled his past role as country director of the World Bank here 15 years ago and pointed out that since then, Bangladesh has seen remarkable changes, especially in infrastructure such as metro rail.
“The World Bank will provide all kinds of support needed for Bangladesh,” the adviser quoted the VP of the Washington-based lender as saying.
Responding to a question, Salehuddin said that the World Bank is happy with the reforms that are going on in Bangladesh.
Zutt, he said, appreciated the central bank’s initiative for restructuring the banking sector.
“The macroeconomic situation of the country is on the right track,” he quoted the WB official as saying.
Regarding the US tariff issue, the adviser said that the commerce adviser will hold a briefing about the outcome of the negotiations upon his return home from Washington.
“He will inform us in which area we need to adjust our tariffs... There is a tax policy and other issues involved in this matter; we will look into the matter,” he said.
The issues relating to the operations of the IFC were also discussed in the meeting.
Answering a question, the finance adviser said that the interim government has availed of whatever support it has sought from the World Bank.
He said that the next cycle of expected support will be raised in upcoming annual meetings of the World Bank-IMF group in October.
Replying to another question, Salehuddin said the World Bank is happy with the reform initiatives in the financial sector, including in the NBR.
There were also discussions about Chittagong port and the container terminal in Laldia, he said, adding that they will extend support in the infrastructural sector.
The WB vice president arrived in Dhaka on Saturday.
