Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has voiced concern over the World Bank's (WB) loan offer to Bangladesh to deal with the challenges emerged after Rohingyas took shelter here amid persecution in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.
TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman in a statement on Thursday said he has been informed through newspaper reports that the WB is trying to provide loan assistance to Bangladesh for addressing the Rohingya crisis, which is unethical, unacceptable and a matter of concern as well.
Taking advantage of the human catastrophe, he said, the WB's initiative to increase loan burden on Bangladesh in the name of assistance is nothing but the expansion of its interest business.
According to a UNB report, the top official of TIB said if the global bank has good intention to help Bangladesh deal with Rohingya crisis, it must refrain from increasing loan burden on this country.
As a donor agency, he added, the WB should continue mounting pressure on Myanmar to repatriate their displaced people.
Mr Iftekharuzzaman also asked the government to strengthen diplomatic efforts to get interest-free financial assistance from international agencies, including the WB, to address the demand of Rohingya people.
