Finance
World Bank Developing countries can follow Bangladesh's development model: World Bank
Own Correspondent, Dhaka, 10 August 2023: World Bank (WB) Executive Director Parameswaran Iyer said that developing countries can follow Bangladesh's development model. He expressed this opinion during a courtesy meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday.
Prime Minister's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim, while briefing reporters after the meeting, quoted Iyer as saying, "Bangladesh has achieved unprecedented development with specific plans under the prudent leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Other developing countries can also follow this development model of Bangladesh."
On the other hand, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina informed the World Bank official about her government's development program to ensure the overall development of Bangladesh.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh has witnessed massive development, as her government and party (Awami League) moved forward by formulating concrete plans. "Our main goal is poverty alleviation, because we want to ensure a better life for every human being," she said.
The Executive Director of the World Bank assured Bangladesh of cooperation in infrastructure development in the next stage of progress. He said that his organization has already given 70 crore US dollars for the relocation of Rohingyas.
The Prime Minister said the Rohingyas must return to their motherland Myanmar.
Regarding climate change, she said, "Even though we are not a carbon emitter, we are the worst affected by the adverse effects of climate change."
Iyer, however, told the Prime Minister that the World Bank would help Bangladesh implement its Delta Plan-2100.
Sheikh Hasina said the World Bank is providing technical assistance to restore the environment and ensure the navigability of the surrounding rivers to make Dhaka city more livable.
The World Bank official also praised the country's sanitation system and said, "Bangladesh's sanitation system is extraordinary." He also appreciated the role of the private sector in development.
The Prime Minister said that his government has provided all necessary assistance for the development of the private sector. "We have opened up everything to the private sector," she said.
The meeting was attended among others by World Bank Alternate Executive Director Dr. Ahmad Kaykaus, Secretary to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Mohammad Salahuddin and Economic Relations Department Secretary Sharifa Khan.
