"Of course, the present political situation is of concern," she said in her farewell remarks. She will leave her post on November 19 after heading the Bangladesh operations of the multilateral lending agency for three and half years.

"I, like many other friends of Bangladesh, implore all those involved to step back from the brink of conflict and search for a peaceful way to ensure that free and fair elections are held," she said in written statement.

She said a dysfunctional political system is increasingly becoming one of the major constraints on this country's development. "Tough debate over policy alternatives is healthy, indeed it is the lifeblood of democracy, but endless hartals, boycotts and repression only frustrate the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh."

Wallich strongly believes in Bangladesh's ability to rise to the challenges it faces and assured that the World Bank would remain a strong and reliable partner of Bangladesh by supporting the programmes and policies determined by the government and the people.

She sees prospects of the country based on the creativity of the people and the enormous strides this country has already made in both economic and social terms.

She added that since the 1990's Bangladesh has achieved steady economic growth of 5-6 per cent annually, low inflation and indebtedness and stable interest and exchange rates.