She sought assistance when the bank's Executive Director C M Vasudev called on her at the Prime Minister's Office at noon.

Appreciating Khaleda's plan for an underground railway system, Vasudev said the bank would come forward if it gets a proposal in this regard.

Responding to some other requests, he assured the prime minister that the WB would provide assistance in construction of Padma Bridge and give increased support in power sector and infrastructure building.

Vasudev highly appreciated various government steps, including reform measures in the financial sector.

He said the WB lauds Bangladesh's growth rate, macro-economic management, low inflation, good foreign exchange reserve and successful introduction of floating exchange rate of local currency.

The bank's executive director hoped that the present government would be able to sustain the present trend of development.

He said Bangladesh is one of those countries which did utilise the bank's credits more effectively.

The volume of WB assistance for Bangladesh would reach $900 million dollars in the current fiscal year, he said.