World Bank MD due today

World Bank Managing Director of Operations Axel van Trotsenburg will arrive in Bangladesh today on his first official visit here.

During his three-day visit, Trotsenburg will join a public event in Dhaka tomorrow to mark 50 years of the partnership between Bangladesh and the World Bank Group and celebrate the country's remarkable development achievements. 

"Bangladesh has shown the world what can be done to dramatically reduce poverty through successful innovations in human development, women's empowerment, and climate adaptation," said Trotsenburg in a WB press release yesterday.

"The World Bank is proud of its 50-year partnership with Bangladesh and being part of the country's remarkable development journey. I look forward to my visit and to seeing these achievements firsthand."

Trotsenburg will meet with the prime minister, finance minister, and other senior government officials, civil society representatives, and development partners, and visit the WB-supported projects. He will be accompanied by Martin Raiser, WB vice-president for the South Asia region.

The WB was among the first development partners to support Bangladesh after its independence. Since then, it has committed about $39 billion, mostly in grants or concessional credits to Bangladesh.

Bangladesh currently has the largest ongoing programme supported by the World Bank Group's International Development Association (IDA).