World Bank Vice President for South Asia Johannes Zutt concluded a three-day visit to Bangladesh, during which he met with senior government leaders, officials, and civil society representatives to discuss the country’s development priorities. The visit highlighted the World Bank Group’s strong commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s efforts to promote large-scale job creation, strengthen skills development, and encourage investment, with particular emphasis on creating more opportunities for youth and women.
During the visit, Zutt held discussions with key policymakers, including the Finance and Planning Minister, Commerce Minister, the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning, and the Bangladesh Bank Governor. These meetings focused on the government’s economic priorities and the areas where the World Bank Group can provide support, particularly in addressing employment challenges and sustaining inclusive growth.
A major concern raised during the visit was the growing mismatch between the number of young people entering the labour market and the availability of jobs. Over the past decade, 14 million youth joined Bangladesh’s workforce, but only 8.7 million jobs were created, leaving nearly half of working-age youth without employment. Young women were identified as facing especially significant barriers, underlining the need for targeted interventions to improve workforce participation and economic inclusion.
Zutt also stressed the urgency of long-delayed macroeconomic and financial sector reforms, especially in the context of rising global uncertainty. He noted that such reforms are essential to address structural bottlenecks that limit economic growth and constrain the country’s ability to generate jobs at scale. The World Bank Group’s broader approach centers on helping countries translate economic growth into local employment by investing in physical and human capital, improving the business environment, and mobilizing private sector investment.
The World Bank has been a longstanding development partner of Bangladesh since its independence and remains one of its most significant sources of support. To date, the institution has committed more than $46 billion in International Development Association financing, including grants, interest-free loans, and concessional credits, to help Bangladesh advance its development goals and address key economic and social challenges.
