Wolfensohn made the observation at a meeting with Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at the VVIP suite in the Shanghai International Conference Centre yesterday.

The World Bank chief said Bangladesh has proved its worth in breaking a new ground in poverty reduction through an effective and successful microcredit programme.

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia who flew in here Monday to attend the World Bank-sponsored microcredit conference briefed the Wolfensohn on her government's poverty alleviation programme and success in microcredit.

The World Bank president told Khaleda that the bank at a recent meeting appreciated her government's programme for girls' education, empowerment of women and microcredit programme for poverty reduction.

Wolfensohn praised the anti-dowry movement initiated by Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and said this particular measure would play an enormous and far reaching impact on the empowerment of women. He said the anti-dowry movement would be an example to follow by other countries across the globe.

He also commended the information communication technology and e-governance programme of the present government and said the World Bank welcomed the decision of Khaleda Zia in this respect, which would further enhance efficiency and transparency.

World Bank Bangladesh Mission Chief Christina Wallich assisted the World Bank chief at the meeting.

Finance Minister M Saifur Rahman, Principal secretary to the Prime Minister Kamaluddin Siddiqui and Alternate Executive director of World Bank Dr Akhbar Ali were present.

In the afternoon, British Minister for Department for International Development (DFID) Hilari Benn met the prime minister at her hotel suite.

Benn, who came here to attend the World Bank sponsored microcredit conference, told Khaleda of his government's appreciation about the enormous success of Bangladesh government in microcredit programme as a tool for poverty reduction.

Benn assured the prime minister that his government's would expand support to Bangladesh development pursuit. In this context, he identified Bangladesh as priority country for British development support in the socioeconomic field.

During the meeting, Khaleda expressed sorrow at the Sylhet incident in which the British high commissioner to Bangladesh was hurt. She described the incident as most unfortunate.

The British minister thanked the Bangladesh prime minister for immediate medical facilities provided by her government for the high commissioner.