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Nicola Beer, vice president of the European Investment Bank (EIB), on Wednesday assured the interim government of the bank’s help in carrying out vital reforms it had undertaken.
She gave the assurance during a meeting with Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka, says a spokesperson of the Chief Adviser.
“We have come in a very challenging time; we back the Interim Government and its reform agenda,” Ms Beer said, adding that the EU has the technical expertise to provide the support.
“Everything we can do, please ask,” she said.
“It is important to make it visible that the interim government of Bangladesh is not only working but also delivering.”
Calling the present period an opportune time, Prof Yunus requested EIB’s help in tackling corruption, advancing green transition in energy, and formulating a broader plan for the Sundarbans mangrove forest and the surrounding region and river system.
He also sought EIB assistance in building facilities in Chittagong Port for the development of the people in eastern Bangladesh and water management in northern Bangladesh.
Prof Yunus said the development in eastern Bangladesh, in the largest port in the region, will also benefit eastern India and Myanmar.
He recalled his meeting with EU President Ursula von der Leyen on the sidelines of the UNGA in New York in September last year when they had discussed possible areas of support in the fight against corruption and Bangladesh’s increased shift towards renewable energy from fossil fuel.
The Chief Adviser noted his recent meeting with EU envoys when many areas of cooperation were discussed.
He elaborated on the interim government plans to hold the next general election and local government elections.
Prof Yunus said the interim government was also simultaneously preparing for local government elections to make sure that "local government is really local and a government”.
Special Envoy to the Chief Adviser Lutfey Siddiqi, BIDA Chairman Ashik Mahmud Chowdhory, Senior Secretary for SDG Affairs Lamiya Morshed, ERD Secretary Shahriar Kader Siddiky, EU Ambassador Michael Miller, among others, were present.