Managing Director (MD) for operations at theWorld Bank Anna Bjerde arrives in Dhaka this evening on her first official
visit to Bangladesh.During her one-day visit, Bjerde will meet with the Prime Minister SheikhHasina, Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali and other senior governmentofficials, civil society and private sector leaders, said a World Bank (WB)press release here today.Bjerde will be accompanied by WB Vice-President for the South Asia Region
Martin Raiser during the visit.The World Bank was among the first development partners to support Bangladesh
after its independence. Since then, the Bank has committed more than US$41
billion to Bangladesh, mostly in grants or concessional credits.

Bangladesh currently has the largest ongoing program supported by the World
Bank Group's International Development Association (IDA).