Dhaka, Sept 18: The World Bank on Tuesday said that it could mobilise an additional USD 2 billion in financing to Bangladesh in this fiscal year to support critical reforms, flood response, better air quality and health.

World Bank Country Director Abdoulaye Seck pledged the new assistance when he called on interim government’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka on Tuesday.

Seck said that the World Bank “is committed to increasing lending to Bangladesh in this fiscal year to help the reform agenda of the Interim Government,” the chief adviser posted on X.

“Seck informed that the World Bank can mobilise about $2 billion new financing in this fiscal year to support critical reforms, flood response, better air quality and health,” Yunus said in another post on X.

Seck’s remarks came days after the US Agency for International Development (USAID)-Bangladesh on Sunday said it would provide USD 202.25 million in aid to Bangladesh to advance development, empower youth, strengthen democracy, improve health and expand trade and economic opportunities to people in the South Asian country.

Seck’s meeting with Yunus came over a month after Yunus, known for his deep relations with Washington, was installed Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor following the resignation of Sheikh Hasina who fled the country on August 5 amidst student-led mass protests.

“We would like to support you as fast as possible and as much as possible,” Seck was quoted as saying by the state-owned BSS news agency.