World Bank Dhaka E-Newsletter, Issue # 16

 

Message from the Country Director

Dear Friends,

The World Bank recently announced an expansion of its support on cyclone from US$250 million to US$275. The World Bank Vice President for South Asia Praful Patel visited Kalapara Upazila of Patuakhali district on 13 December and saw firsthand the devastation caused by Cyclone Sidr. In the consequent meetings with the Government, he announced World Bank’s decision to increase support to US$100 million for the Government to cope with the badly-needed cyclone-related spending.

In this issue, you will read about a global report that offered new estimates of the economic size of 146 economies based on Purchasing Power Parity (PPP). You will also read how a new Government initiative will help to increase agricultural productivity and farm income by improving the performance of the national agriculture technology system. The opportunity for the Bangladeshi NGOs working on HIVAIDS to participate with innovative ideas in the upcoming South Asia Regional Development Marketplace is also featured in this issue.

As always, you can mail us with your views and feedback at wbdhakanews@worldbank.org. We look forward to hearing from you. Wishing you all a very happy and enjoyable holiday season.

Best wishes,

 

Xian Zhu

Country Director

Highlights:

1.           World Bank commits additional financial support to Sidr recovery

2.           International comparison data on 146 countries launched

3.           Increasing agricultural productivity and farm income

4.           Innovative Ideas sought to Fight HIV and AIDS in South Asia

World Bank commits additional financial support to Sidr recovery

The World Bank recently announced an expansion of its support on cyclone from US$250 million to US$275. The World Bank Vice President for South Asia Praful Patel visited Kalapara Upazila of Patuakhali district on 13 December and saw firsthand the devastation caused by Cyclone Sidr. In the consequent meetings with the Government, he announced World Bank’s decision to increase support to US$100 million for the Government to cope with the badly-needed cyclone-related spending.

Please read Praful’s statement to the media here:

 

Please read press release here:

2. International comparison data on 146 countries launched

New estimates of the economic size of 146 economies based on Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) was released by the International Comparison Program (ICP) on December 17, 2007.  These new benchmark results update the world’s understanding of the relative sizes of the national economies and measure the relative costs of living between countries.

 

The ICP, supported by the World Bank under the auspices of the United Nations Statistical Commission, is the world’s largest international statistical exercise.

 

To read key findings of the report, please visit:

3. Increasing agricultural productivity and farm income

The Government recently completed negotiations for a US$ 62.6 million interest-free credit from the International Development Association to increase agricultural productivity and farm income by improving the performance of the national agriculture technology system. The estimated cost of this project is US$ 84.6 million, of which the IDA will provide 62.6 million. International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) will also provide US$ 19.4 million while the Government’s own contribution will be US$ 2.6 million.

Please read the press release here:

4. Innovative Ideas sought to Fight HIV and AIDS in South Asia

The World Bank with United Nations and private sector partners recently launched a competitive Development Marketplace aimed at identifying and funding innovative approaches to reduce stigma and discrimination associated with HIV and AIDS in the South Asia region, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Bangladeshi NGOs working on HIV and AIDS can participate in this competition by sending innovative proposals for which a maximum US$40,000 per proposal will be awarded. Proposals will be accepted until January 31, 2008

Proposals can be submitted online through the South Asia Regional Development Marketplace website – http://www.worldbank.org/sardm2008

To read about this initiative, please visit: