DHAKA, Jan 23, 2024 (BSS) - The World Bank (WB) has expressed its interest to
disburse additional 700 million US dollar in the form of both grant and soft
loan to Bangladesh for forcefully displaced Rohingyas and the host community
in Chattogram.

"The World Bank has showed interest to provide fresh 700 million US dollars
for Rohingyas and host community," Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud told
reporters after holding a meeting with WB's country director Abdoulaye Seck
at the foreign ministry here this afternoon.

Of the 700 million US dollar, he said, 315 million would be disbursed as
grant for the Rohingyas and 385 million for the host community of the
Chattogram division under soft loan scheme.

He said the fund under the soft loan would be used for elevating livelihood
of inhabitants of the Chattogram division through developing infrastructure
facilities and improving healthcare services.

During the meeting, the minister said they discussed to further strengthen
the development cooperation between Bangladesh and the World Bank in the day
to come.

"He (WB country director) showed his keen interest to strengthen and widen
World Bank engagement with us (Bangladesh)," said the foreign minister.

Currently World bank has been running its 15 billion US dollars fund in 56
ongoing projects in Bangladesh.