World Bank Approves $1.1 Billion for Two Bangladesh Projects
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The World Bank has approved $1.1 billion in financing for two projects in Bangladesh aimed at addressing volatility in global fertilizer and fuel prices, strengthening food security, and helping the country respond to ongoing economic challenges.
The World Bank’s Dhaka office announced the funding on Saturday.
According to the lender, Bangladesh’s economy has come under increasing pressure from rising global prices of food, fertilizer, and fuel, driven by the Middle East crisis and compounded by limited fiscal space. The impact has been particularly severe for small-scale farmers and low-income, vulnerable communities.
The emergency financing is intended to ensure a steady supply of fertilizer for rice production, protect vulnerable populations, and help maintain employment and essential public services.
Of the approved amount, $300 million has been allocated to the Food Security Emergency Support Project. The funding will be used to import fertilizer for the Aman season from July to October 2026 and the Boro season from October 2026 through April 2027.
The project is expected to support rice cultivation on nearly 1.4 million hectares of farmland operated by smallholder farmers.
The remaining $713 million has been approved under the Emergency Crisis Response Project, which aims to stabilize incomes and protect jobs during the crisis.
The funding will also help maintain the supply of fuel and energy needed to keep essential services—including food distribution, healthcare, medicines, medical supplies, electricity, and water operational.
The funds under the Emergency Crisis Response Project are scheduled to be disbursed by June 30, 2026.
