Committed to helping Bangladesh maintain inclusive growth path: WB VP

World Bank’s new Vice President for the South Asia Region Johannes Zutt has said the global lending agency ‘remains committed’ to helping Bangladesh to maintain a ‘sustainable and inclusive growth path and create more and better jobs’ for the two million youths entering the job market every year.

 “I have very fond memories of Bangladesh, its people and the friendships I have made. I was always impressed by the resilience and creativity of the Bangladeshi people and their determination to build a better future for their children,” said Zutt, who arrived in Dhaka on Saturday, marking Bangladesh as his first official tour in the new role.

During his four-day official visit, Zutt will meet Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur, and other senior government officials and private sector representatives, according to the WB.

The WB Vice President said he looks forward to seeing firsthand the transformative changes that have been achieved over the ten years since he left his role as Country Director.

Zutt assumed his role as World Bank Vice President for the South Asia Region on July 1, 2025 and he previously served as the World Bank’s Country Director for Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal from 2013-2015.

A Dutch national, Zutt joined the World Bank in 1999 and has taken positions of increasing responsibility.

He most recently served as the World Bank’s Country Director for Brazil. Before this he was the Director for Strategy, Results, Risk and Learning in the Operational Policy and Country Services (OPCS) Vice Presidency.

Zutt has also served as Country Director for Türkiye, Comoros, Eritrea, Kenya, Rwanda, Seychelles and Somalia.

The World Bank was among the first development partners to support Bangladesh after its independence.

Since then, the Bank has committed about $46 billion to Bangladesh, mostly in grants or concessional credits.

Bangladesh currently has one of the largest ongoing programs supported by the World Bank Group’s International Development Association (IDA).