World Bank Vice President for the South Asia Region Martin Raiser is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on Saturday to discuss with the government the important reforms that can help the country stay on the resilient and inclusive growth path. “I am glad to be back in Bangladesh and to continue discussing with the government the important reforms that can help the country stay on the resilient and inclusive growth path and create opportunities for the people,” said Raiser. Read more: Bangladesh's strong growth could be at risk without urgent climate action: World Bank He will be accompanied by the incoming Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, Abdoulaye Seck, said the global lending agency on Friday. During his three-day visit, Raiser will meet with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, along with other senior government officials. He will introduce Seck, who will assume the position of the World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan on January 1, 2023. They will also visit a World Bank-supported project. “Bangladesh has an impressive record in many aspects of development, including poverty reduction, climate change adaptation and disaster-risk preparedness, and gender parity in school enrollment, to name a few, '' said Seck. “I look forward to working closely with the government and people of Bangladesh as the country works toward the goal of achieving upper-middle income status by 2031.” Read more: Currency depreciations risk intensifying global food, energy crisis: World Bank A Senegalese national, Seck joined the World Bank in 1995 as an economist and has since held leadership positions in different countries. Prior to taking this assignment, Seck served as the Country Director for Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of Congo. He also served as the World Bank Country Manager for Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Moldova. The World Bank was among the first development partners to support Bangladesh following its independence. Since then, the World Bank has committed more than $37 billion in grants, interest-free, and concessional credits to the country. Bangladesh currently has the largest ongoing International Development Association (IDA) program totaling over $15.7 billion in 55 active projects.

World Bank Vice President for the South Asia Region, Martin Raiser arrives in Dhaka on Monday (September 19, 2022) on his maiden visit to Bangladesh. “Bangladesh has made impressive achievements in development and economic growth. The World Bank is proud to be a partner in this remarkable journey for the past 50 years,” said Raiser on Saturday ahead of his visit to Bangladesh. Read: Continued investment in coastal resilience critical for sustainable growth: World Bank “As the countries in South Asia grapple with a multitude of shocks from COVID to climate change and rising global inflation, I look forward to learning about Bangladesh’s experience in building resilience,” he added. During his three-day visit to the country, Raiser will meet Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, along with other senior government officials, and discuss World Bank support to address the country’s development priorities. He will also meet development partners, leaders from the private sector, civil society, and think tanks, said the global lending agency on Sunday. Raiser, a German national, assumed the role of the World Bank Vice President for the South Asia Region on July 1, 2022. Read: World Bank to provide US$300 million to help Bangladesh’s pandemic response Before taking on this role, he worked as the Country Director for China, Mongolia, and Director of Korea. He also held positions of the Country Director for Turkey and Country Director for Brazil. The World Bank was among the first development partners to support Bangladesh following its independence. Since then, the World Bank has committed more than $37 billion in grants, interest-free, and concessional credits to the country.