World Bank Vice President concludes Bangladesh visit

World Bank Vice President for South Asia Johannes Zutt has concluded a three-day visit to Bangladesh, engaging with senior government leaders, public officials, and civil society representatives to discuss the country's economic development priorities.

Zutt has served as the World Bank's vice president for South Asia since 1 July 2025.

"The government places a high priority on large-scale job creation, alongside skills development and investment, and the World Bank Group shares this commitment," Zutt said. "In this context, we are intensifying our support for the government's efforts to create jobs, particularly for youth and women."

During the visit, Zutt held meetings with Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, the Prime Minister's Adviser on Finance and Planning, and the Bangladesh Bank Governor to discuss development priorities and areas for World Bank Group support.

"Over the past decade, 14 million young people entered Bangladesh's labour market, competing for only 8.7 million jobs. Nearly half of working-age youth were unable to secure employment, with young women facing particularly steep barriers. Against a backdrop of rising global uncertainty, it is imperative for the government to implement long-overdue macroeconomic and financial sector reforms to address fundamental obstacles to economic growth and job creation," Zutt added.

The World Bank Group said it is supporting countries to convert economic growth into local employment by investing in physical and human infrastructure, fostering a business-friendly environment, and mobilising private capital.

The World Bank was among the first development partners to support Bangladesh following independence, and has since committed more than $46 billion in International Development Association financing through grants, interest-free loans, and concessional credits to address the country's development priorities.