Dhaka
The World Bank announced on Tuesday that it could provide an additional USD 2 billion to Bangladesh this fiscal year. This funding will support critical reforms, flood response, air quality improvements, and health initiatives. The commitment was made during a meeting between World Bank Country Director Abdoulaye Seck and interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka.
Seck confirmed that the World Bank is prepared to increase its lending to Bangladesh to assist with the interim government’s reform agenda. This new aid comes after the US Agency for International Development (USAID) pledged USD 202.25 million to Bangladesh for development, youth empowerment, democracy, health, and economic opportunities.
The meeting between Seck and Yunus followed Yunus’s recent appointment as Chief Adviser after Sheikh Hasina’s resignation amid protests. Seck emphasized the importance of completing the reforms and acknowledged the need for additional support.
In addition to the new funds, the World Bank will repurpose approximately USD 1 billion from existing programs, bringing the total to around USD 3 billion. Seck also expressed the bank’s willingness to assist with data transparency, tax collection digitalization, and financial sector reforms.
Yunus urged the World Bank to assist in recovering stolen assets and to help build a zero-corruption framework in Bangladesh. Seck agreed to support these efforts and expressed the bank’s commitment to aiding Bangladesh’s reform process.
