Finance Minister AMA Muhith said the World Bank renewed its pledge to provide the financial support necessary for the needs of Rohingya, reports bdnews24.com.
The finance minister had closed-door talks with World Bank chief Jim Yong Kim on Saturday, the fourth day of the World Bank-IMF meetings on the Indonesian island of Bali.
"The World Bank president discussed the Rohingya with us," said Muhith. "The World Bank president said the World Bank will make arrangements to cover the cost to support this powerless group."
The World Bank was speaking to Sweden, Germany, Kuwait and the UAE for funds, said Muhith. Canada provided some support, he said.
"We estimate that we will need $2.0 billion to host the Rohingya for the next two years," said Muhith.
"The World Bank will organise grants, not loans. The World Bank will provide the majority of the $2.0 billion in support, with $1.0 billion each year. Other donors and organisations must be found to provide the rest."
A $500 million agreement was signed with the World Bank for the Rohingya, the finance minister added.
Another $200 million will be agreed to within the next few days.
A preliminary agreement had also been made to receive $100 million from the Asian Development Bank, with another $100 million agreement coming soon, he said.
More agreements would soon be signed with other donors and organisations on the matter, he said.
Asked whether Bangladesh's economic situation or efforts to eradicate poverty had been discussed, Muhith said: "Yes, the World Bank president has said that our economic situation is good. That we are doing good work on poverty alleviation, something he saw with his own eyes during his visit."
Muhith said he had thanked Kim for the World Bank's contribution to the development of Bangladesh through loans over the years.
The World Bank had pledged to provide Bangladesh with loans amounting to $4.5 billion in three fiscal years, from 2017-18 to 2019-20, said Muhith.
"We have already spent that fund within two years and have requested the World Bank to provide an additional $4.5 billion for the remaining year. They have agreed to provide additional support," said Muhith.
