World Bank (WB) Executive Director Parameswaran Iyer said on Thursday that developing countries can follow Bangladesh's development model as he paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official Ganabhaban residence in Dhaka.

"Bangladesh made a phenomenal transformation in development with specific plans under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's prudent leadership. Other developing countries can follow Bangladesh's development model," PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim quoted Iyer in a media briefing after the meeting.

According to Karim, the prime minister apprised the WB official of her government's upscale programmes to ensure Bangladesh’s overall development.

Bangladesh witnessed huge development as her government and party do everything after formulating specific plans, Sheikh Hasina said.

"Our main target is to alleviate poverty as we want to ensure a better life for every person," she said.

The WB executive director assured Bangladesh of extending cooperation in its infrastructure development in the next phase of advancement.

He said his organisation has already provided $ 700 million for the relocation of the Rohingyas.

The prime minister said the Rohingyas will have to return to their homeland Myanmar.

About climate change, she said Bangladesh has suffered badly from the adverse impact of climate change despite not being responsible for carbon emissions.

Iyer, however, told the premier that the WB will assist Bangladesh in implementing its Delta Plan-2100.

Sheikh Hasina said the WB is lending technical assistance for ecological restoration and ensuring navigability of rivers surrounding Dhaka city with a view to making the city more livable under an umbrella investment programme.

The WB official also appreciated the country's sanitation system, saying "Bangladesh's sanitation system is remarkable."

He also highly praised the private sector's role in the development characterising it as a thriving one.

The prime minister said her government has given every required support to the growth of the private sector.

"We have opened everything to private sector," she said.               

Alternative Executive Director of the WB Dr Ahmad Kaikaus, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Secretary Mohammad Salahuddin and Economic Relations Division Secretary Sharifa Khan, were present, among others, at the meeting.