TIB slams World Bank loan offer

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has voiced concern over the World Bank's loan offer to Bangladesh to deal with the challenges emerged after Rohingyas took shelter in the country.

In a statement yesterday, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said it has been learnt from newspaper reports that the WB is trying to provide loan assistance to Bangladesh for addressing the Rohingya crisis, which is unethical, unacceptable and a matter of concern.

The TIB chief said if the global bank has a good intention to help Bangladesh deal with the crisis, it must refrain from increasing loan burden on the country. As a donor agency, it should continue mounting pressure on Myanmar to repatriate their displaced people.

Iftekharuzzaman asked the government to strengthen diplomatic efforts to get interest-free financial assistance from international agencies, including the World Bank, to address the demand of Rohingya people.