Message from the Country Director Dear Friends, The 2007 floods in Bangladesh have already killed 563 people and left more than ten million displaced. The Government, with the help of the development partners and other stakeholders, has been continuing its relief efforts. The Government has requested the Bank for an emergency support operation and guided by the Bank’s Floods Assistance Strategy, we are now in the process of finalizing supplemental financing, For continued commitment to development and to assist the country in overcoming the disastrous effects of this natural calamity, the Bank will also examine the possibilities for medium-to-long-term restoration and rehabilitation support instruments. On a more positive note, you will read about a recent World Bank report which highlights the challenges Bangladesh faces in becoming a mid-income country by 2016 in this issue. The findings of another report say the rate of poverty reduction in Bangladesh is one of the best in South Asia. The importance of strategic urban planning for Dhaka, the fastest mega-city in the world, has been featured in an article and depicts the living standards of the urban population. 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. Bangladesh: Strategy for sustained growth 2. Bangladesh among leading South Asian nations in poverty cut 3. Dhaka urgently needs strategic urban planning 1. Bangladesh: Strategy for sustained growth The premise of the recently launched World Bank report is that Bangladesh can reasonably aspire to join the ranks of middle-income countries within a decade, by 2016 or soon thereafter. With much-improved economic fundamentals and successful implementation of many first-generation reforms, Bangladesh seems well placed for such performance. However, to achieve this mid-income country status, the economic growth must become even stronger and so, the study focuses on three long-term transitions essential to more rapid, sustained, and employment generating growth: (i) a shift in the economic structure from agriculture to labor-intensive manufacturing; (ii) deepening of integration with global markets wherein internationally competitive Bangladeshi firms would be plugged into global supply chains, and; (iii) unleashing the growth potential of the major urban centers, Dhaka especially. The report also highlights the reform areas that would be essential for these objectives. Read the report here:  Listen to interview with the Lead Author:  2. Bangladesh among leading South Asian nations in poverty cut The rate of poverty reduction in Bangladesh is one of the best in South Asia. This finding was revealed at a workshop titled "Poverty determinants, employment patterns, education trends and regional differences", dedicated to late Syed Nizamuddin, senior economist of the World Bank. The World Bank Report, based on Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), found 57 percent of the country's population was living below the poverty line in 1991 and the rate of poverty came down to 49 percent in the year 2000. It also found during the years 2000-2005, Bangladesh's rate of annual average poverty reduction secured second position among other South Asian countries, falling behind that of India.  Read Country Director’s speech here: 3. Dhaka urgently needs strategic urban planning A World Bank report presents a new look at the characteristics and dynamics of poverty in Dhaka and aims to provide a solid discussion basis on urban poverty and the way forward, with the Government of Bangladesh, local authorities, development partners and NGOs. Several issues that are most critical for the poor – employment, land and housing, basic services, and crime and violence - have been addressed. Greater Dhaka currently represents more than 40% of Bangladesh’s national GDP. The overall urban planning process should take strategic planning principles into account to prevent the high risk of flooding to certain areas of the Dhaka Metropolitan Development Plan, which are likely to be further aggravated by climate change impacts in the medium to long term.  Read press release here:   Read Country Director’s speech here:  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  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, reflect 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 will be as much about improving governance as they will be 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  ================================================================ 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: 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 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  Forthcoming Publications  The Bangladesh Vocational Education and Training System: An Assessment  ================================================================ 7. 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  Recent highlights  World Development Indicator 2007  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To suggest further names to receive this newsletter, please send an e-mail to: World Bank Dhaka News with the subject line: New subscribe  To unsubscribe, please send an e-mail to: World Bank Dhaka News with the subject line: Unsubscribe.  | 
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