BD against assistance that tags harmful conditions, PM tells WB VP

Bangladesh does not want any assistance from anyone that tags harmful conditions for it, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday told visiting World Bank regional vice president for South Asia Philippe Le Heuerou, reports UNB.
The World Bank Vice President met the Prime Minister at her office.
PM's Special Assistant Mahbubul Hoque Shakil briefed reporters after the meeting.
He said the Prime Minister said Bangladesh always welcomes assistance from other countries or organisations, and each and every country of the world has its own philosophy of development.
"This philosophy includes culture, nature, environment, psychology and the geographical characteristics of that particular country," she said.
Shakil said the visiting World Bank Vice President highly appreciated the unprecedented achievements of the government in women empowerment in terms of economy, attaining over 6 percent GDP growth in the last couple of years, education and health sectors.
The World Bank Vice President, who is on his maiden visit to Bangladesh, said the Prime Minister is successfully leading the country in its march forward.
Heuerou also praised the government for taking steps for developing the social safety net, and expressed his organisation's interest to assist Bangladesh in its infrastructural development.
He said the World Bank pledged to provide US$ 2.8 billion in the current fiscal where it has already signed aid agreement with Bangladesh government for US$ 1.73 billion in February last.
Heuerou emphasised the enhancement of regional connectivity and said his organisation would like to take part in this sector.
In this connection, the Prime Minister said the regional connectivity is increasing day by day.
She also mentioned the two hydro-power projects-Bangladesh-Bhutan-India and Bangladesh-Nepal-India.
Sheikh Hasina also referred to the declining trend in trafficking of women and children in the region due to concerted efforts of all.
Describing various government activities taken for development of education, health and power sectors, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh managed to attain more than six percent GDP growth at a time when the entire world was under economic stress, and this has been possible due to the pragmatic and time befitting steps of her government.