Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called for special funding from the World Bank dedicated to fostering women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh, aiming to enhance their socioeconomic status.
During a meeting with World Bank Managing Director for Operations Anna Bjerde at the Sangsad Bhaban office on Sunday, the Prime Minister emphasised the need for additional concessional loans for climate change mitigation and adaptation projects, according to a UNB report.
The briefing, provided by PM's speech writer M Nazrul Islam, highlighted Sheikh Hasina's commitment to financial inclusion and entrepreneurship among women. "From ICT to agriculture and small handicraft industries, women are contributing significantly, and we aim to elevate their socioeconomic position further," she remarked.
Sheikh Hasina requested the World Bank to provide a special fund for Bangladeshi women to accelerate their entrepreneurial ventures and socioeconomic progress. "This initiative will pave the way for new entrepreneurs," she noted.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister underscored the government's efforts in marketing products created by women entrepreneurs and integrating climate change and resilience considerations into development projects to ensure sustainable growth. Bangladesh is at the forefront of sustainable development, she said. "You can provide more loans at a concessionary rate for the climate change and climate resilience projects," she told the World Bank MD.
Meanwhile, Ms. Bjerde has reiterated the global lender's strong support to help Bangladesh achieve its vision of upper-middle income status by 2031.
She also underscored the need for deep macroeconomic- and financial-sector reforms to help sustain the country's inclusive growth.
The WB's top official made the observation after concluding her first visit to Bangladesh on Sunday, said a WB press release.
"The story of Bangladesh's economic growth and development has been an inspiration for many countries," the statement quoted Ms. Bjerde as saying.
"Fast and bold reforms in monetary and fiscal policies will enable Bangladesh to maintain macroeconomic stability, reduce financial sector risks, and sustain inclusive growth amid global uncertainties," she added.
During her visit to Bangladesh, Ms. Bjerde met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and commended the country's development, according to the statement.
The WB official said today, almost all children-boys and girls-go to school and nearly every household has electricity in Bangladesh.
She also thanked the Prime Minister for sheltering displaced Rohingya people and pledged to support Bangladesh in addressing their needs until their safe and voluntary return, as well as those of the host community, it added.
The World Bank and the government of Bangladesh are discussing a financing program of over $650 million for two new projects to address the needs of both the displaced Rohingya population and the host communities in the Chattogram Division.
Nearly half of the financing will be utilised for the displaced Rohingya people and will be entirely on grant terms, mentioned the statement.
"I am very proud of our long-standing partnership with Bangladesh that has helped lift millions of people out of poverty. We will continue supporting Bangladesh to create jobs, develop a robust private sector, attract investment, and build resilience to climate shocks and future crises while at the same time ensuring that no one is left behind," said Ms. Bjerde.
During the visit, she also met with the Finance Minister, Bangladesh Bank Governor, senior government officials, private sector and civil society leaders and women entrepreneurs to discuss Bangladesh's development priorities.
She was accompanied by WB Vice President for the South Asia Region Martin Raiser.
Since Bangladesh's independence, the World Bank has committed about $41 billion in International Development Association (IDA) financing in the form of grants, interest-free loans, and concessional credits, the press release said.
Currently, Bangladesh has the largest ongoing IDA programme in the world, and the World Bank is Bangladesh's largest development partner, it added.
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