Dhaka: Country Representative of the World Bank Johannes Zutt said on Monday Bangladesh could the construct the Padma Bridge with own finance if it follows a “meticulously planned process.”  

The WB representative also announced sanctioning of loans worth US$1.6 billion for infrastructure development for the current year 2014.

On Tuesday morning Johannes Zull held an introductory  discussion meeting with Finance Minister AMA Muhith at his Secretariat office following his takeover as the Bangladesh Country Representative. This was his first meeting with Muhith after takeover. After the meeting Zutt also exchanged views with the journalists present there and commented that the huge infrastructure project the Padma Bridge could be constructed with own funding through proper planning.

The World Bank representative also said, “The bridge is vital for linking up the capital city with the country’s South-Eastern districts.” He also expressed his hope that the WB funding for other development projects would continue unhindered despite its differences and exit from the Padma Bridge project.  

He said, “The Padma Bridge funding issue was settled and the project was aborted much earlier. The WB has already allocated US$1.6 billion for infrastructure development of the country in the current fiscal year and the same amount would be allocated for the next year as well. The multilateral lending agency would also continue its funding for other development projects in future as well.”

Ends/MAM/AMA/11/06/13