The World Bank in Bangladesh
Electronic Newsletter, No. 11 June 2007 Message from the Country Director
Dear Friends,
Last month has been eventful for the World Bank. The decision that was reached to make space for new Bank leadership allows us to return our full attention to continuing our commitment to helping our partner countries in the fight against poverty. In his recent visit to Bangladesh, World Bank Vice President Praful Patel stressed our continued engagement to be a strong and reliable partner to Bangladesh as the country works to achieve its development goals.
In this issue you will read about World Bank’s support to Bangladesh’s reform programs aimed at strengthening prospects for stronger economic growth, improved governance and faster poverty reduction. World Bank’s support to Bangladesh’s agricultural technology system to increase agricultural productivity and farm income for small producers is also featured. You will also read how the government and its development partners are coming together to help rural finance meeting the numerous challenges facing small entrepreneurs and farmers in the rural areas.
As always you can mail us with your views and feedback at wbdhakanews@worldbank.org. We look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes,
Xian Zhu
Country Director Read more on Vice President Praful Patel’s visit Read more on President Wolfowitz’s resignation:
Highlights:
1.Supporting Bangladesh’s reform programs – DSC IV released
2. Linking farmers with research, extension and markets
3. Helping rural finance achieve its full potential More from the World Bank: 4. World Bank Country Assistance Strategy
5. World Bank Supported Projects
6. Reports and Analyses from the World Bank
7. Global World Bank Reading
1. Supporting Bangladesh’s reform programs
The World Bank on 29th May approved an additional US $200 million in policy lending under the fourth installment of the Development Support Credit (DSC IV) to Bangladesh. This credit aims to bolster Bangladesh’s reforms which are now being carried out by the Caretaker Government. Such lending is directly linked to the government’s performance in addressing macro-economic stability, trade liberalization, more effective financial and power sectors, and reforms in core governance functions such as public financial management, the Anti-Corruption Commission and tax administration.
DSC IV leverages on Bangladesh’s Poverty Reduction Strategy and will support key aspects of the government’s reform agenda aimed at strengthening prospects for stronger economic growth, improved governance and faster poverty reduction in Bangladesh. The reforms, supported by the credit, are expected to improve public service delivery, reduce systemic corruption and improve the investment climate.
Read more:
Read about DSC III: =========================================================================== 2.Linking farmers with research, extension and markets
The World Bank is supporting a government initiative to increase agricultural productivity and farm income, with a particular emphasis on small and marginalized farmers. The proposed National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP) aims to promote the generation, dissemination and use of appropriate agricultural technologies. Strengthening the linkages among research, extension, farmers and market are the central focus of this proposed initiative.
The estimated cost of this project is about US$ 85 million, of which the World Bank will provide approximately US$ 62 million. International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) will provide US$ 20 million, while the Government’s own contribution will be about US$ 3 million.
Read more: ========================================================================== 3. Helping Rural Finance achieve its full potential
A joint study on “Access to Rural Finance” by the Government of Bangladesh, the World Bank and DFID has found that rural small businesses and farmers are unable to play their due adequate role in growth and employment generation because of a limited access to rural finance. The study shows that between 1996 and 2005, the banks increasingly drained deposits from rural areas to finance urban loans. For every taka deposited or collected in rural areas by banks, only half of it is lent to rural areas. The government will most likely undertake an initiative to increase access to rural finance to help rural people develop their full potential. The World Bank is ready to support the government in that initiative.
Read more:
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More from the World Bank 4. World Bank Bangladesh Country Assistance Strategy
The World Bank’s Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) will guide our operations in Bangladesh during the period 2006-2009. It is strongly focused on governance and is aligned with Bangladesh's Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS). The CAS has two pillars, improving the investment climate and empowering the poor, reflecting the focus of the World Bank’s programs across sectors. These programs will address sector governance issues in both pillars, as well as ‘core’ governance, such as public procurement, public financial management, and judiciary reform. This mainstreaming of governance implies that all Bank Group interventions are as much about improving governance as they are about improving sector performance.
Summary of the CAS English | Bangla
Download the full CAS
===================================================================== 5. World Bank supported Projects and Programs in Bangladesh
The World Bank supports 27 ongoing government projects in Bangladesh and is active in a wide range of sectors including health, education, transport, water and sanitation, agriculture, local government and financial sector reform, as well as public procurement and financial management reform.
Brief description of active projects | Detailed descriptions of active projects
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6. Reports and Analyses from the World Bank
The aim of the Bangladesh Development Series (BDS) is to share the World Bank's country analytical work on Bangladesh. BDS is a valuable source of information for strengthening policy dialogue and developing and implementing country strategies.
Please click on the following titles to download these Bangladesh Development Series reports:
Bangladesh Country Environmental Analysis: Summary - English To the MDGs and Beyond: Accountability and Institutional Innovation in Bangladesh Summary - English | Bangla
India-Bangladesh Bilateral Trade and Potential Free Trade Agreement; Summary - English | Bangla
Economics and Governance of NGOs in Bangladesh; Summary - English | Bangla Bangladesh Country Assistance Strategy 2006-2009; Summary - English | Bangla Social Safety Nets in Bangladesh: An Assessment Bangladesh Integrated Nutrition Project, Effectiveness and Lessons Learned Revitalizing the Agricultural Technology System in Bangladesh; Summary - English | Bangla Targeting Resources for the Poor in Bangladesh; Summary - English | Bangla Comparative Advantages of Health Care Provision; Summary - English | Bangla Bangladesh Water Country Assistance Strategy; Summary - English | Bangla End of MFA Quotas: Key Issues and Strategic Options for Bangladesh Ready Made Garment Industry; Summary - English Bangladesh PRSP Forum Economic Update - Recent Developments and Future Perspectives 7. Forthcoming Publications The Bangladesh Vocational Education and Training System: An Assessment
Strengthening Management and Governance in the HNP Sector of Bangladesh
Bangladesh: Strategy for Growth and Employment
Bangladesh: Piloting Reform through the Development and Management of Economic Zones
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8. Global reading from the World Bank
The World Bank is also a "Knowledge Bank", each year producing a steady flow of publications and research. Over 15,000 documents and publications are available free of cost on our website. Search and download global World Bank publications
9. Recent highlights
World Developement Indicator 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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