The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Visiting World Bank President Robert B. Zoellick yesterday appreciated the government's reform measurers, specially in the financial sector, and suggested fixing up priority to make Bangladesh a mid-income group country by 2015.

"Bangladesh has to achieve development in human resources and infrastructure sectors to become a mid-income group country by 2015," the WB's president said when he paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed at the latter's office in the city.

Robert Zoellick also expressed the bank's further support for human resources development and infrastructure sectors of the country to this end.

Putting emphasis on utilisation of the WB's funds within the stipulated time, he asked the government to identify the areas where the bank can help.

He assured the government of the bank's further support for the local government capacity-building project for strengthening the local government bodies, including the Union Parishad.

The World Bank chief also hinted the bank's support for the country's better business support plan. Referring to climate change, he said the bank can prepare an analytical study jointly with the government especially for adaptation and mitigation for climate change.

About the bank's 65m US dollars agricultural technology project, which is now at the

final stage, the World Bank President said if it is successful, the project will replicate for 15 years.

Regarding increase of the budgetary support, he said, "We will look into it."

Robert Zoellick also expressed the bank's willingness to assist the Bangladesh government for preparing an action plan to create a better business environment.

Among others, Finance Adviser Dr AB Mirza Azizul Islam, finance secretary, ERD secretary, Bangladesh Bank Governor and Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser were present on the occasion.