Executive Director of TIB Bangladesh Chapter went out of his way to justify his claim not to accept the World Bank loan because the developed countries should give us compensation for the damage they are doing to the climate.
It is common sense that everyone wants to do business with another country, tries to be friendly and find something to praise. Mr Kim also praised the country’s success in reducing extreme poverty. Although, the fact remains that various private bodies, including some international ones, are playing an important role in fighting extreme poverty in Bangladesh.
Kim made the pledge after touring schools that double as cyclone shelters during major storms. He also visited rural communities in more remote locations that are enjoying the benefits of electricity in their homes and shops through solar systems as part of the country’s green-growth agenda. Kim met with rural residents who told him that electricity has helped transform their lives, improved their livelihoods and built infrastructure for the entire community.
The World Bank is essentially giving us money as loan, not a grant, and it has to be repaid with interest like any other loan from any country or agency. The developed countries are contributing much more carbon emissions than developing countries. But that does not mean we do not add to downgrading the environment.
Like any loan from any country including China, the WB pledged loan is also repayable with interest. It is nothing new. Mr Iftekharuzzaman, however, agreed that the interest the World Bank charge is lower compared to others giving us loan. Connecting compensation from rich countries cannot be the reason why Bangladesh government will take help from World Bank for doing our part in improving climate condition. Let TIB, as promised, fight for us in collecting compensation for climate damage if it can.
