Bangladesh’s development model can inspire others: WB official

Other developing countries can follow the development model of Bangladesh, World Bank Executive Director Parameswaran Iyer said today.

"Bangladesh has witnessed a phenomenal transformation," he said while paying a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Gono Bhaban in the morning.

PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.

Iyer praised the prime minister, saying that the developments of Bangladesh have been achieved because of her leadership and planning.

He conveyed the greetings of the WB president to the PM.

Iyer said the World Bank will assist Bangladesh to improve infrastructure in the next phase of the country's development journey.

The WB official said Bangladesh's private sector is thriving.

The country's sanitary system is also remarkable, he said.

The World Bank will also assist Bangladesh to implement the Delta Plan-2100, he said.

Talking about the Rohingya issue, the WB official mentioned that the global lender has already provided $700 million assistance for the Rohingya people.

In this context, the prime minister put emphasis on the repatriation of the Rohingya people to their motherland, Myanmar.

She apprised Iyer of different aspects of Bangladesh's development programmes. "Our main target is poverty eradication. We want to ensure a better life for the people," she was quoted as saying.

She said her government and party have designed and implemented plans taking all aspects into consideration.

About the climate issue, the premier said though Bangladesh is not a carbon emitter, it has to suffer the adverse impacts of climate change.

She said the World Bank is administering a technical assistance on the ecological restoration and ensuring navigability of rivers surrounding Dhaka city with a view to making the city more liveable under an umbrella investment programme.

Hasina said her government opened everything for the private sector and is extending support to the private sector.

WB Alternative Executive Director Ahmad Kaikaus, ERD Secretary Sharifa Khan and PMO Secretary Mohammad Salahuddin were present.