D-8 Hails Bangladesh on Her Victory Day

Dhaka, Bangladesh | December 16, 2009 by D-8 Secretariat

As Bangladesh celebrated 38 years of victory day, D-8 Organization extend greetings to Bangladesh and hopes that the country can continue and increase to prosper.

Bangladesh yesterday celebrated 38 years of victory in the Liberation War, 1971. The whole country was in a festive mood, and the National Mausoleum at Savar drew people of all ages and religions, as reported by the Daily Star.

Thoroughfares and road dividers were decorated with miniature flags and bunting while some government buildings were illuminated. Many vehicle owners also sported the flag on their automobiles.

President Zillur Rahman laid a wreath at the National Mausoleum to pay homage to the Liberation War martyrs. He stood there for a few moments in silence.

Ministers, advisers, deputy speaker, state ministers, chiefs of three services, diplomats, freedom fighters and senior civil and military officials, among others, were present on the occasion.

Leaders of different political parties including the ruling Awami League and main opposition BNP, different socio-cultural organisations, rights groups, professionals’ associations, educational institutions, and a cross-section of people placed wreaths at the mausoleum.

The president later inaugurated the Victory Day rally and parade of children and juveniles at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in the city.

In the afternoon, President Zillur Rahman hosted a reception at Bangabhaban where he exchanged greetings with war-wounded freedom fighters, war heroes, cabinet members, advisers, foreign diplomats, chiefs of three forces, political leaders, top civil and military officials and other eminent personalities.

To mark the occasion, newspapers published special supplements; television channels broadcast talk shows, cultural programmes and dramas.

Special prayers for martyrs were offered in the mosques, temples and churches.

D-8 Organization extend greetings to Bangladesh and hopes that the country can continue and increase to prosper. The organization also pledged that it will continue to support Bangladesh economic development through concerted cooperation within D-8 framework.

World Bank Pledges To Continue Supports For Bangladesh

Meanwhile, the World Bank, which already disbursed a record $1 billion over the last two fiscal years in Bangladesh, would continue to provide the same amount to facilitate the country’s development activities, reported AHN News Service.

“This trend is likely to continue in the current fiscal year,” the World Bank Country Director Ellen Goldstein said in a press statement in the capital, Dhaka on Tuesday.

During her initial meeting with Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina, Ellen Goldstein reaffirmed the World Bank’s willingness to increase supports for the growth-enhancing infrastructure, social development and nutrition programs as well as local delivery of public services.

In addition to disbursements from the existing portfolio, the World Bank committed a record amount of over $ 1 billion for new operations during the last fiscal year (FY09), the statement said, adding that many of these operations are beginning to disburse this year.

The World Bank continues to maintain disbursements during the current year under its existing projects. The amendments in the public procurement act (PPA) 2006 concern only local procurement contracts, which are less than a third of total World Bank-funded procurement.

“To ensure smooth continuation of local procurement, the World Bank has already sent revised financing agreements for the World Bank-financed projects to the government for counter signature,” the statement added.

Ms. Goldstein, who joined as the Country Director in November this year, also met recently with ministers, secretaries and members of the civil society with whom she engaged in development dialogue.

The country’s priorities will be reflected in the World Bank’s new Country Assistance Strategy for 2010-2013, which is now under preparation, according to the statement.

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