BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia discussed various development projects and investments in Bangladesh with Islamic Development Bank (IDB) President Ahmed Mohamed Ali here yesterday.
Khaleda also met with Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu at the OIC headquarters in Jeddah on September 1.
During her visit to the IDB headquarters, IDB's senior management gave an extensive briefing and presentation of its latest overall position after the various major reforms it has undertaken. Following the reforms, the IDB is now the Islamic Development Bank Group.
Nijad Subei of IDB presented the multimedia presentation, touching the bank's priority areas of investment, its vision for the next 10 years and the major reforms.
During the presentation Khaleda Zia wanted to know about IDB projects in Bangladesh, particularly its future projects in the fields of energy, power and education.
Ahmed Hariri, who looks after the West and Southeast Asia department, apprised the meeting that presently some 79 projects, in areas including education, health, power and energy sectors, worth a total of US $6.8 billion are now running in Bangladesh with IDB involvement.
Human resources development is now the topmost priority of IDB. Saudi Arabia is the major donor to IDB, which has 56 Muslim countries as members.
Khaleda Zia requested increased IDB support for the operational costs of the Islamic University of Technology (IUT) in Gazipur, as well as an increase in the number of the scholarships available at the IUT.
She also wanted to know about IDB's emergency disaster management fund, as not only Bangladesh, which has always been a victim of natural disasters and climate change, but also many other countries including Pakistan which is also vulnerable to such disasters.
BNP Vice Chairman Shamser Mobin Chowdhury, who was at the meeting, said Khaleda also emphasised further strengthening the IDB's human resource development projects in Palestine.
The IDB president recalled that late president Ziaur Rahman had a great role in establishing the Islamic Development Bank in 1975. He also termed Zia as a special friend of the IDB, said Shamser Mobin.
Ali assured continued IDB support to Bangladesh in the days ahead.
Khaleda said like in the past Bangladesh would continue its cooperation and support to IDB.
Later, Leader of the Opposition Khaleda went around IDB headquarters and talked with Bangladeshi officers and staff working there. Khaleda stayed for about 2 hours in the bank's headquarters.
BNP chairperson's Adviser Sabihuddin Ahmed, Press Secretary Maruf Kamal Khan and Special Assistant Shimul Biswas were present.
Khaleda came to Jeddah from Makkah and went back to Makkah after concluding the programme at the IDB.
She arrived in Saudi Arabia on August 30 to perform Umrah.
Source: thedailystar.net
