World Bank President Jim Yong Kim arriving in Dhaka Sunday

The World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on Sunday on a two-day visit.

He will 'see firsthand the progress Bangladesh has made in transitioning successfully to a lower-middle income country, despite daunting development challenges', a WB release says.

Kim will join a public event to mark End Poverty Day to celebrate Bangladesh’s achievements in lifting more than 20 million people out of poverty in less than two decades.

It has been achieved with its strong economic performance, innovative work with the poor, job creation by the private sector, consistent investment in human development, and effective disaster management, the bank says.

The release said Kim recognised the achievements of Bangladesh in poverty alleviation and is coming here to fund sectors that could bolster the economy.

"Bangladesh has had remarkable success in cutting the number of people living in poverty by almost half and its innovations are well known – many countries have learned from them,” the release quoted Kim as saying.

“I am eager to hear how the World Bank Group can work with Bangladesh to promote private sector investment by strengthening governance and improving the investment climate. There is also much to do by increasing investment in infrastructure, human development, and climate change.”

The WB chief is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, along with other senior government officials, for discussions on a wide range of issues that can have a bearing on the country’s economic development.

The visit will also explore opportunities to deepen the World Bank’s engagement.

Kim is expected to meet civil society representatives as well.

He will also inspect some WB funded projects.

The release said the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank Group’s fund for the poorest countries, has provided more than $24 billion in support to Bangladesh since 1972 to advance development priorities, making Bangladesh the largest recipient of IDA.

"The continued partnership of the World Bank Group will help Bangladesh build on its successes to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity", the release said.