UNB, Dhaka :
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday called for special funding from the World Bank, dedicated to fostering women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh — aiming to enhance their socioeconomic status.
During a meeting with World Bank Managing Director Anna Bjerde at the Sangsad Bhaban office, the Prime Minister emphasized the need for additional concessional loans for climate change mitigation and adaptation projects.
The briefing, provided by PM’s speech writer M Nazrul Islam, highlighted Sheikh Hasina’s commitment to financial inclusion and entrepreneurship among women. “From ICT to agriculture and small handicraft industries, women are contributing significantly, and we aim to elevate their socioeconomic position further,” she remarked.
Sheikh Hasina requested the World Bank to provide a special fund for Bangladeshi women to accelerate their entrepreneurial ventures and socioeconomic progress. “This initiative will pave the way for new entrepreneurs,” she noted.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister underscored the government’s efforts in marketing products created by women entrepreneurs and integrating climate change and resilience considerations into development projects to ensure sustainable growth. Bangladesh is at the forefront of sustainable development, she said. “You can provide more loans at concessionary rate for the climate change and climate resilience projects,” she told the World Bank MD.
The Prime Minister said that her government gives highest priority for women’s empowerment, and there is no disparity between men and women in the country right now.
“Equal opportunity has been created for all,” she said.
She said that currently in every sphere of life, including armed forces and agriculture, women are involved, and that it has been possible due to the change in mindset during the tenure of the Awami League government.
She also mentioned that in the local government elections, a 30 percent quota has been ensured for women.
Sheikh Hasina said that due to the war in Ukraine, inflation has spiked in Bangladesh.
The Prime Minister said that the central bank has rolled out a plan to introduce a crawling peg system for the taka to regulate abrupt fluctuations of its value.
World Bank Managing Director Anna Bjerde put emphasis on the reforms of macro and micro economy of Bangladesh.
“We are assisting Bangladesh in this regard and will continue advancing these reforms,” she said.
She appreciated Bangladesh for doing well regarding the reforms.
She said that the sooner World Bank funded projects are implemented, funding for new projects will be disbursed.
PM’s Advisor Salman Fazlur Rahman, Principal Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah
and Economic Relations Division Secretary Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky were present at the meeting.