The World Bank in Bangladesh
Electronic Newsletter, No. 12                                                                                                  July 2007 Message from the Country Director Dear Friends, The World Bank has completed another successful year in Bangladesh. The Bank’s support to various development efforts of the Government stood at US$ 379 million at the close of financial year in June 2007. With a new World Bank President in place, we remain committed and focused on reducing poverty in Bangladesh. In this issue, you will read about how Bangladesh is leading the microfinance movement in South Asia. The challenges of addressing the vital needs of the rapidly growing urban poor in Dhaka, the fastest growing mega-city in the world, are also featured. There are articles on the strategic use of land resources for special economic zones development and a fast-track modernization initiative for Chittagong Port, which can maximize economic benefits for the country. 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 Highlights: 1. Microfinance growing fast in South Asia 2. Improving living conditions of Dhaka’s poor 3. Public-private partnership for special economic zones 4. Fast-track modernization for Chittagong Port 1. Microfinance growing fast in South Asia The Micro-Finance movement has really taken off in South Asia. According to a recent World Bank report, microfinance today meets around 15 per cent of the overall credit requirements of low-income families. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are leading the movement, while India falls under medium coverage category. The report, ‘Microfinance in South Asia - towards financial inclusion for the poor’, notes that microfinance today reaches at least 35 million households in the region. However, the penetration and outreach of the sector varies greatly across the region. Read the report here 2. Improving living conditions of Dhaka’s poor Dhaka is the fastest growing mega-city in the world. Annually, the city draws an estimated 300,000 to 400,000 mostly poor migrants who provide critical employment for the city’s industries and services. A recent World Bank study entitled ‘Dhaka: Improving living conditions for the urban poor’ highlighted the urgent measures that are required to address the vital needs of the rapidly growing urban poor. Read the report here 3. Public-private partnership for special economic zones As land is one of Bangladesh’s scarcest resource, the development of special economic zones through public-private partnership are believed to help maximize economic benefits as well as protecting the environment. A recent World Bank Group report: ‘Bangladesh: Piloting Reform through the Development and Management of Economic Zones’ called for providing efficient land, infrastructure, and services to industries for special economic zones development and management. Read press release here Read speech here 4. Fast-track modernization for Chittagong Port The Chittagong Port, known for its various administrative bottlenecks, has recently raised port efficiency by 30%, and the cost of doing business in the port is now 40% less. However, the cost at Chittagong Port is still higher than several ports in the region. A fast-track modernization through coordinated efforts of the government, port management and labour and development partners can maximize economic benefits to reduce poverty in the country. Read press release here =========================================================================
 More from the World Bank 5. 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        Â
 Download the full CAS
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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 projectsÂ
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7. 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: Strategy for Sustained Growth Dhaka: Improving Living Conditions for the Urban Poor Strengthening Management and Governance in the Health, Nutrition and Population Sector of Bangladesh 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 8. Forthcoming Publications The Bangladesh Vocational Education and Training System: An Assessment
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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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