Speaking to journalists after a meeting with visiting World Bank Executive Director C M Bashudev yesterday, Saifur said the WB is encouraging projects for development of railway, power, ports and such other infrastructure having direct impact in poverty reduction.

He said these are parts of the poverty reduction strategy paper (PRSP) and the WB is looking forward to see host of projects in this respect.

The talks with Bashudev focused on timely projects preparation and submission to the bank, besides a review of the ongoing WB aided projects.

The finance minister said that the WB has assured timely disbursement of funds and there will be no shortage of funds.

He said that the World Bank has expressed satisfaction over the pace of reforms including financial sector reforms while emphasising on the need for expediting project preparation exercise and improving the quality of project preparation.