PM urges IDB to join Bangladesh's efforts to build hunger, poverty-free country

"Our government has been working tirelessly to build a hunger and poverty-free Bangladesh by 2021 though fulfilling the basic rights of the people. So, we want more active participation of IDB to this end," she said.

The Prime Minister made the request when visiting IDB President Dr Ahmad Mohamed Ali called on her at her official residence at Ganobhaban here this evening.

PM's special assistant Mahbubul Hoque Shakil briefed reporters after the meeting.

He said that in response to the request of the Prime Minister, the IDB president agreed to provide allout assistance from his organisation to build a hunger and poverty-free Bangladesh by 2021.

The Prime Minister said IDB is a long-time development partner of Bangladesh which has been providing support to Bangladesh in the fields of energy, power, agriculture, fisheries, livestock, water supply and sanitation.

She thanked the IDB for its assistance in building 178 cyclone centres and 24 cyclone centres-cum-schools in the southern region of the country at a cost of US$ 130 million.

Sheikh Hasina said her government has been working relentlessly to bring most of the people of the country under banking network by expanding the banking system.

In this connection, she said that the allowances being given to the people under the social safety net programmes would be provided through banks and post offices.

The IDB president said that his organisation would set up a county office in Bangladesh. The work on setting up the office is progressing fast, he said.

In this connection, the Prime Minister said her government would provide all kinds of assistance to this end.

Ambassador-at-large M Ziauddin and Principal Secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikdar were present on the occasion, among others.