BD can emerge as economic power

Visiting Asian Development Bank President Takehiko Nakao has highly praised Bangladesh's tremendous socioeconomic success, saying the country has immense potentiality to emerge as an economic power in Asia, reports UNB.

The ADB president's appreciation came when he paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganobhaban in the city on Wednesday.

Prime Minister's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.

He said the ADB president mentioned that Bangladesh has immense potentiality to emerge as an economic power like China and India.

Many countries are now looking to Bangladesh for investment considering its huge potentiality, Nakao added.

Mentioning that the ADB has been working with Bangladesh for its socioeconomic development since 1973, the ADB chief said his organisation is ready to assist in power, transport and other sectors for further economic uplift of the country.

Welcoming the ADB president in Bangladesh, the Prime Minister said the aim of her government is to ensure development of the grassroots people and that various welfare-oriented initiatives have been undertaken so that they can lead a comfortable life.

The Prime Minister said the government has given top priority to education to achieve the desired target of development and it is encouraging the students to pursue science and technical education to this end.

While talking about traffic congestion, Sheikh Hasina said her government has taken various initiatives, including construction of metro rail and flyovers, for resolving the problem.

The press secretary said the Rohingya issue also came up for discussion and the Prime Minister narrated how the influx of Rohingyas is affecting local people and the environment in Cox's Bazar.

A bdnews24.com report adds: ADB President Takehiko Nakao has told Bangladesh that his organisation stands ready to provide additional funds for development projects.

His assurance came in response to Finance Minister AMA Muhith's call for funds for 10 'mega projects' currently underway.

The visiting ADB chief held a meeting with Muhith at Sonargaon Hotel on Tuesday night.

After the meeting, Nakao told the news agency: "Additional financing for Bangladesh will not be a problem. We are waiting for good projects."

He said they were ready to finance good projects from their $40 billion Asian Development Fund or ADF.

Nakao was happy with the progress in the ADB-funded projects in Bangladesh.