WB will support Bangladesh in reforming banking sector: Salehuddin

Adviser to the interim government on the Ministries of Finance and Commerce Dr Salehuddin Ahmed today said that the World Bank would provide support to Bangladesh in carrying out necessary reforms in the banking and other sectors.

“We’ll receive support from the World Bank for the reforms we’ve undertaken in the banking sector,” said the Finance Adviser while talking to reporters.

He said this after a meeting with Martin Raiser, Vice President for the South Asia Region of the World Bank, at the Finance Division at Bangladesh Secretariat.

The Finance Adviser said, “We discussed various issues, including budget support, assistance in the health and energy sector, even fertilizer imports, food self sufficiency, post-flood rehabilitation and Rohingya support with the World Bank’s South Asia Vice President and his team.”

In addition, Dr Salehuddin said they also talked about supporting the forcibly displaced Rohingyas.

“The World Bank was very positive about all the proposals that we presented, and they provided concrete responses. They (WB) assured us that they, along with other development partners, would coordinate, and there would be no hesitation in providing necessary funding or assistance,” he added.

The Finance Adviser said they also discussed issues related to boosting investment in the private sector and addressing various challenges in business and trade. “They have assured us of their assistance, and we will receive the necessary support,” he added.

About the amount of possible fresh support from the Washington-based lending agency, the Finance Adviser denied revealing the amount.

World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan Abdoulaye Seck, Operations Manager Gayle Martin, IFC Country Representative Martin Holtman, among others, were present.

Besides, Finance Division Secretary Dr Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder and Economic Relations Division (ERD) Secretary Shahriar Kader Siddiky were also present at the meeting. (BSS)