Highly appreciating Bangladesh’s stunning development in various socio-economic sectors, World Bank President Dr Jong Yong Kim has said he is very much impressed with poverty reduction and women empowerment in the country.

‘I always highlight Bangladesh’s any success story on every occasion,’ he said when he met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her hotel in New York on Tuesday.

After the meeting, PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters.

The World Bank President said his organisation will continue to work with Bangladesh, and he will visit Bangladesh next month.

The Prime Minister underscored the need for consultation with the government when any country or development agency undertakes any plan or project, especially on river training.

‘We understand our requirements ... the project or the plan will be suitable for Bangladesh when it’s taken in consultation with the government,’ she said.

Elaborating her government’s achievement in different sectors, Sheikh Hasina said the government is giving priority to energy sector and river dredging.

While talking about the BBIN and BCIM Economic Corridor initiatives, Hasina said these initiatives have been taken for economic development and prosperity of the region.

Sheikh Hasina also highlighted her government’s success in women empowerment and education.

She said the trend of participation of women in Bangladesh politics has increased to a great extent due to various initiatives of the present government.

Twenty-one female members have been directly elected to present parliament, she said, adding 30 per cent seats in local government bodies like Union, Upazila, Municipality and City Corporations have been kept aside for women.

Hasina mentioned that the country’s women are now in very high positions in all sectors like administration, judiciary, education, as well as in the armed forces and in law-enforcement agencies.

PM’s ICT Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Mohammad Shahriar Alam, Principal Secretary Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad and secretaries concerned were present.