The World Bank is keen to work with Bangladesh in areas like energy security, energy efficiency, a regional power market that Dhaka is very interested in, energy exchange and policy reforms.

The multilateral financing agency made the proposal when its regional director Guangzhe Chen met State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid at his office in the ministry on Sunday.

According to the ministry's press release, the World Bank also expressed its interest to modernise the gas pipeline network and install pre-paid gas metres.

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Welcoming Guangzhe Chen, Nasrul Hamid said the World Bank might be one of the development partners, but it takes a long time to implement projects. “The World Bank should be careful about the timing,” he said.

He mentioned that the energy demand is growing day by day in the country. The World Bank can work with Bangladesh to increase the use of clean energy.

He said that Bangladesh has been working to introduce modern technology and digitalisation.

“Electric vehicles should be used in a massive way. The World Bank can work on policy reform to achieve energy efficiency”, he said adding Bangladesh needs some efficient consultants where the World Bank can work.

At present, 5 projects are being implemented with the finance of the World Bank while discussions are in progress for some more new projects in the country’s power and energy sector.

Expansion of transmission lines, improvement in voltage and power factor, increasing energy efficiency and enhancing the stake of clean energy are the areas the World Bank has scope to work on, said a ministry release.

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World Bank operation advisor Gisu Mohadjar, senior operation officer Barbara Weber, programme leader Rajesh Rohatgi and senior energy specialist Mohammad Anis were present during the meeting with the state minister.