The visiting World Bank Vice President Joseph Wood said here yesterday that the World Bank would give total support to Bangladesh in its efforts for poverty alleviation, reports BSS.

The assurance came from the World Bank vice president when he called on Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia at her office

Wood deeply appreciated the steps taken by the government of Begum Zia for the improvement of different socio-economic sectors including health and family welfare, primary education and empowering the women community. He said the World Bank was totally behind Bangladesh in its efforts for attaining progress and prosperity

Wood appreciated different projects for uplift taken up in Dhaka and Chittagong, which he visited. He assured all-out help of the World Bank in implementing the projects successfully.

The WB vice president also discussed different develop ment issues including the gas sector, rural roads and other Infrastructural development.

Wood said the WB would extend assistance for the Dhaka city infrastructural development to 'help cope with the needs of a growing city population which was increasing very rapidly.

He pointed out some of the sectors where the Bank would provide assistance, including construction of flyovers, wider roads and slum development

During the talks, the Prime Minister sought the cooperation of the Bank in Bangladesh's efforts for development. especially In poverty alleviation which was the

cornerstone of her government’s development policy. Begum Zia said her government gave top most priority to poverty alleviation which was a must for sustainable democ-

Flnance Minister M Saifur Rahman. World Bank Alternative Director A M Syeed and World Bank Local Representative Christopher Willoughby were present during the meeting.