Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal yesterday day urged the World Bank Group and the IMF to stand beside Bangladesh with greater support considering the

crisis in the wake of global coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

“It’s not possible for a country to singlehandedly face this crisis (COVID-19). So, we urge the World Bank Group and the IMF to stand beside us to face this crisis. It’s our ardent request to the World Bank Group and the IMF to come up with greater support to us considering this risky situation.” he said.

The finance minister said this while addressing a video conference with the World Bank and IMF headquarters on the latest coronavirus situation from the NEC Conference Room in the city’s Sher-e-Banglanagar area, said a finance ministry press release.

NBR Chairman Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem, Financial Institution Division Senior Secretary Md Ashadul Islam, Finance Division Secretary Abdur Rouf Talukder and ERD Secretary Fatima Yasmin, were present, among others on the occasion. Bangladesh Bank (BB) Governor Fazle Kabir joined the press conference from his office.

Highlighting the coronavirus situation in the country, the finance minister said the COVID-19 spreads fast while the countries across the world are enforcing lockdown, shutdown and disruption of the communication system to stop spreading of this virus which is putting negative impact on the global economy without any doubt.