World Bank Vice President for South Asia Region Annette Dixon is expected to arrive in Dhaka on Saturday to build on the longstanding partnership between Bangladesh and the World Bank Group.

This is Dixon's first visit to Bangladesh since assuming her position on December 15, 2014.

During her visit, Dixon will meet senior government officials, including the Finance Minister, as well as private sector and civil society leaders. She will discuss how the World Bank can best support the country’s efforts to make economic development more inclusive while ensuring good governance and strengthening the country's own institutions.

She will also visit World Bank-financed projects in Bangladesh.

Dixon said, "For the World Bank, Bangladesh is an important partner in the fight against global poverty. This is shown by the fact that Bangladesh is the largest recipient of the International Development Association, the World Bank's fund for the world's poorest countries,"

"Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in reducing poverty and advancing human development, and has the potential to do even more. The World Bank Group is committed to support Bangladesh in overcoming poverty and boosting shared prosperity as quickly as possible to provide opportunities for all its people," she added.

The WB is now preparing the Bangladesh Country Partnership Framework that will guide the bank's engagement in Bangladesh over the next few years.

Since 1972, the WB has come up with more than $19 billion support for the growth and development of the country. The WB's current IDA portfolio in Bangladesh stands at $7.5 billion in 32 projects.