WB for peaceful general election
Finance minister AMA Muhith on Wednesday said that the World Bank wanted the next general election to be held peacefully so that its relation with Bangladesh was not disturbed.
‘The relationship should not be disturbed even if there is a change in the government,’ Muhith told reporters after a meeting with visiting World Bank vice-president for South Asia Hartwidf Schafer at the ministry.
Asked if there was any discussion during the meeting about the upcoming general election likely to be held in December, Muhith replied in negative.
He, however, added that the World Bank was concerned with the peaceful holding of the next general election to continue its relation with Bangladesh.
Hartwidf Schafer, who arrived in Bangladesh on September 23 on a week-long
visit, expressed hope that excellent relationship between Bangladesh and the World Bank would continue.
Asked if the bank sees any negative impact and uncertainty for Bangladesh economy in the election year, Schafer said they were focusing on the relationship between the two sides.
Emphasising the continuation of the relationship, he said that the country utilised the bank’s money for reducing poverty and good economic growth.
He noted that the bank gave $3 billion loan to Bangladesh in the past year.
Schafer, who visited Cox’s Bazar to see the plight of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Rakhine State of Myanmar, said that he also witnessed efforts from the government of Bangladesh to shelter them.
He noted that global community already recognised Bangladesh’s effort and hoped that assistance from supporting agencies like the World Bank would continue for resolving the problem.
Earlier, Muhith said that he insisted for credit from the International Development Association as the loan carried less than 1 per cent interest.
Both the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank have been asking Bangladesh to take loan on higher interest rate following the country’s promotion from the status of least development country.
News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net
