November 3, 2023
2 mins read

World Bank Grants $210M to Bangladesh For Women, Children

The project will contribute to early childhood development by supporting the expansion and strengthening of the government’s existing social protection program…reports Asian Lite News

The World Bank has approved 210 million U.S. dollars for a Bangladeshi project to provide cash transfers and counseling services to improve nutrition and directly benefit about 1.7 million pregnant women and mothers of children under four years in vulnerable households.

Under current education and health systems, a child born in Bangladesh would only be 46 percent as productive as they could potentially be, Abdoulaye Seck, World Bank country director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, said in a statement Wednesday, Xinhua news agency reported.

“But this can be changed. Ensuring adequate nutrition prenatally and in the first 1,000 days of life, and responsive caregiving throughout childhood, help maximize a child’s brain development and health. This enables them to be more productive and earn more when they grow up. The project will help poor mothers be informed on timely and appropriate care for their children and provide income support to act on that learning to improve their children’s health and wellbeing,” said Seck.

Despite significant gains in human development, poor nutrition and learning poverty among children remain a pressing challenge in Bangladesh and were exacerbated during COVID-19 lockdowns.

This has long-term implications for children’s cognitive development and their future productivity. The project will contribute to early childhood development by supporting the expansion and strengthening of the government’s existing social protection program, the Mother and Child Benefit Program.

Local currency card

Bangladesh on Wednesday launched a local currency card, Taka Pay, the first of its kind in the country, as part of its efforts to build a cashless society.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday inaugurated Taka Pay from her official residence Ganabhaban in capital Dhaka, reports Xinhua news agency.

The card will be issued by the state-owned Sonali Bank and the privately-owned City Bank and Brac Bank in collaboration with the central bank of Bangladesh.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Hasina said this card will be a groundbreaking step for building a cashless society in Bangladesh.

She said as an independent and sovereign country, Bangladesh’s financial system has to be independent and sovereign to reduce dependency on others.

“We must not be dependent on any single hard currency,” she said.

The Prime Minister also stressed the need for data security for every holder of the newly introduced debit card.

ALSO READ: Bangladesh rejects OHCHR’s statement on violence

Previous Story

Bus Torching Spree in Bangladesh Amid BNP Strike

Next Story

Taliban to Build Shelters for Returning Afghan Refugees

Latest from -Top News

India Launches Relief Ops in Bhutan

The Royal Government of Bhutan has expressed sincere gratitude to the Indian Army…reports Asian Lite News Amid unprecedented floods caused by a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, relentless rainfall has

Piyush Goyal Heads to Doha for Trade Talks

During the visit, both sides are expected to discuss the proposed India–Qatar Free Trade Agreement (FTA)….reports Asian Lite News Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will travel to Doha, Qatar, on

Jaishankar Hints at Tariff Deal with US

Jaishankar explained that the ongoing trade tensions largely stem from the inability of both sides to reach a common ground on several issues….reports Asian Lite News External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on

Rajnath Singh Heads to Australia for Key Defence Talks

The visit comes at a historic moment when India and Australia commemorate five years of establishment of India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership…reports Asian Lite News Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Australia from

California Takes Trump to Court

Trump claimed that the deployment of federalized troops was necessary because the city of Portland was under siege…reports Asian Lite News California Governor Gavin Newsom said the state will sue the Trump
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Bangladesh extends bid deadline for offshore oil, gas blocks

The extension  is aimed at providing international companies with a

Hasian vows free, fair polls

PM Sheikh Hasina said that many people can lodge complaints