The government will seek World Bank support to weather the impact of the global economic crisis on Bangladesh's economy during talks with WB vice president in Dhaka next week, officials said Thursday.
Isabel Guerrero will arrive in Dhaka on March 7 on a three-day visit.
"We will seek the World Bank support to face any impact of the global recession on Bangladesh," secretary of the economic relations division (ERD) M Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan told the FE.
Besides, an extended financial assistance for construction of Padma Bridge and improvement of energy and power sector might also be sought, he added.
A finance ministry official said the government will ask for a fund worth more than $500 million from the global lender to finance the country's largest Padma bridge.
Mrs. Guerrero, who is coming to Dhaka for the first time after joining the WB in July last year, will meet prime minister, finance and foreign affairs ministers, and economic and energy advisers.
A World Bank spokesman said the VP will discuss development plans of the country's new government.
Mrs. Guerrero will also review the ongoing WB programmes in the country aiming to continue its supports in the coming years, the official said.
The finance ministry official said as the country needs additional fund worth nearly $650 million for construction of the Padma Bridge, it will request the global lender to provide an extra $200 to $300 million fund in addition to $300 million it promised earlier.
The estimation of construction cost of the bridge has now gone up to $1.8 billion due to price hike of construction materials in the global markets from initial $1.47 billion.
Apart from the World Bank's $300 million fund assurance, ADB has pledged $350 and Islamic Development Bank (IDB) $300 million.
Besides, Japan government has also assured Bangladesh of giving assistance to finance construction of 5.558 kilometre long Padma Bridge.
