The World Bank has shown interest to invest in several projects undertaken by the government to develop rural infrastructure in Bangladesh.
The World Bank wants to invest 5 to 8 billion dollars in these projects.
Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mohammad Tajul Islam highlighted the interest expressed by a World Bank delegation led by Guangzhe Chen, director of the World Bank in South Asia during a meeting at the ministry on Tuesday.
“We have several projects underway. We need to take on some new projects as well. They are willing to invest 5 to 8 billion dollars here which will be spread as investment in various sectors,” he said.
The minister said that all the international banks, including the World Bank, that are interested in providing loan assistance to Bangladesh, will be assessed so that it will be profitable and beneficial, and will protect the country's interest.
The local government minister further said, "The World Bank, along with other international banks, finances us for the economic development of Bangladesh.”
Md Tajul Islam said, the promise of the government in the 2018 election was the ‘Amar Gram Amar Shohor’ (My village is my city) initiative through which, the government has promised to provide all the civic services in the villages and towns.
“As announced by the government, rural communication and market infrastructure, modern health services, quality education, potable water, information technology facilities and high speed internet facilities, improved sewerage and waste management, community space and recreation facilities, banking facilities, rural employment, electricity and energy will all see improvements,” said the minister.
All facilities including increase in production will be maintained through increase in supply, modernization of agriculture and technological advancements. The concerned ministries and departments will implement this vision of the Prime Minister through different projects, he added.
The Minister said, "A number of new projects are being undertaken to make our rural infrastructure, bridges and roads more sustainable. The World Bank has been interested in financing all these projects.”
He also called upon the delegation to cooperate in providing safe sanitation and potable water to all parts of the villages.
Helal Uddin Ahmed, Senior Secretary, Local Government Department and Sheikh Muhammad Mohsin, Chief Engineer, LGED were present during the meeting.
