Aid on harmful conditions not welcome: PM

Bangladesh always welcomes assistance from other countries and organisations but never wants any assistance on harmful conditions, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said yesterday.
The premier made the remark when World Bank's Regional Vice President for South Asia Philippe Le Houérou met her at the PMO in the morning.
PM's Special Assistant Mahbubul Hoque Shakil briefed reporters after the meeting.
Hasina said every country has its own philosophy of development. “This philosophy includes culture, nature, environment, psychology and the geographical characteristics of that particular country.”
The WB vice president highly appreciated the government's success in economic empowerment of women, attaining over six percent GDP growth in the last couple of years, and achievements in education and health sectors.
Houérou, who is on his maiden visit to Bangladesh, said Hasina is taking the country forward, and lauded the government for its steps to expand the social safety net.
He said the WB is interested in giving assistance to Bangladesh for infrastructural development.
The global lender has pledged to provide Bangladesh $2.8 billion in the current fiscal year, and already signed aid agreements involving $1.73 billion till February, said the WB official.
Houérou emphasised strengthening regional connectivity and said the WB would like to contribute to this sector.
In response, the PM said regional connectivity is increasing day by day.
PM's Media Adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Ambassador-at-Large M Ziauddin, and Principal Secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikder were also present there.