World Bank Vice President meets with Principal Advisor

The newly appointed World Bank Vice President for South Asia, Johannes Jutt, met with Principal Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus. During the meeting, Johannes Jutt expressed strong support for inclusive growth in Bangladesh and the Principal Advisor praised the interim government’s reform program in the economic sector. Jutt met the Principal Advisor at the State Guest House Jamuna on Sunday (July 14) night. He was accompanied by the newly appointed World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, Jean Pesme. During the discussion, Jutt expressed his deep love for Bangladesh and recalled his previous tenure as the World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal from 2013 to 2015. He said, “If Bangladesh moves forward, the entire South Asia will move forward. If we move forward separately, we will not move forward.” We need to improve our international trade and transport system. We have an ocean – it is an important part of our economy.’ He also said, ‘Most countries lack young people. We have told them, bring your industries here. We will provide everything necessary so that Bangladesh can become a manufacturing hub.’ Praising Professor Yunus’ role in women empowerment, the World Bank Vice President said, ‘We will stand by you. With the help of the World Bank, a scholarship program for girls was launched in Bangladesh, which is now being followed in other countries. We are ready to help create opportunities for the youth of Bangladesh.’ Jutt mentioned that the World Bank has financed more than $3 billion in Bangladesh in the last fiscal year and promised to continue similar support in the next three years. Lutfe Siddiqui, Special Envoy for International Relations to the Principal Advisor, was present at the meeting. He gave an update on the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) in the Chittagong Port area. He said that container handling at the New Mooring Container Terminal has increased under the new management system. He added, “Our plan is to make it more effective. We have seen a significant increase in net foreign direct investment (FDI) in the January-March quarter of 2025, mainly driven by intra-company loans and strong equity investments.”