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On Monday, July 14, 2025, Johannes Zutt, the newly appointed World Bank Vice President for South Asia, met with Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, at the Chief Adviser’s official residence, Jamuna. The meeting was announced through a press release on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.
During the meeting, Johannes Zutt expressed strong support for Bangladesh’s inclusive growth and praised Dr. Yunus for the interim government’s reform agenda in the economic sector. Jean Pesme, the new World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, also conveyed his deep affection for Bangladesh, recalling his tenure as Country Director for Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal from 2013 to 2015.
The World Bank Vice President commended the interim government’s efforts, stating, “Thank you and your excellent team for doing a great job.” He expressed gratitude for addressing challenging financial issues and affirmed the World Bank’s readiness to continue its journey and share the aspirations of the Bangladeshi people. Zutt also paid tribute to the students who lost their lives in the July uprising, describing it as “a deeply moving moment for everyone associated with Bangladesh.”
Dr. Yunus thanked the World Bank Vice President for their support, stating, “When we took charge, it was like a disaster zone, like a place after an earthquake. We had no experience, yet all development partners supported us, which helped us immensely and boosted our confidence.” Highlighting the role of the youth in the July uprising, he said, “They showed the nation the dream of a new Bangladesh. What our young people did last July was historic, especially our girls and women who played a vital role. Today, we are observing July Women’s Day. Their sacrifices will not go in vain. Our youth are the heart of the nation, and we must focus on their aspirations.”
Dr. Yunus emphasized that Bangladesh should not be seen merely as a geographical boundary, stating, “The Bangladeshi economy is much larger. If Bangladesh prospers, the entire South Asian region will prosper. If we isolate ourselves, we won’t progress. We need to develop international trade facilities and transportation. We have a sea, which is a crucial part of our economy.” He added, “Most countries lack youth, so we’ve invited their factories to set up here. We will provide the necessary resources to establish industries as production hubs.”
The World Bank Vice President praised Dr. Yunus’s work on women’s empowerment, noting that Bangladesh’s pioneering girls’ education stipend program, supported by the World Bank, has been replicated in other countries. He affirmed continued support for creating opportunities for Bangladeshi youth. Zutt also mentioned that the World Bank provided over $3 billion in financing to Bangladesh in the last fiscal year and committed to maintaining similar support over the next three years.
Lutfey Siddiqi, the Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy for International Affairs, was present at the meeting and provided an update on the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) at Chattogram Port. He noted an increase in container handling at NCT under new management and outlined plans to enhance its efficiency. Siddiqi added, “In the January-March 2025 quarter, we saw a significant rise in net foreign direct investment (FDI), driven by strong equity investments and a sharp increase in intra-company loans.”
