Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- The World Bank (WB) delegation, scheduled to arrive in the capital Dhaka on Monday to set modalities of reviving its cancelled loan for the Padma bridge project, has deferred the visit.
"The WB team is not arriving here tomorrow (Monday)," a senior official of the WB's Dhaka Office said Sunday night without elaborating.
The official, however, could not confirm any fresh timeline for the visit.
The team led by WB Director Jack Stein was scheduled to come to Bangladesh to make arrangements anew for the bridge and an investigation into the corruption allegation.
A finance ministry official said the postponement was made suddenly but no reason was shown.
Meanwhile, a two-member delegation of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has arrived in Dhaka. Another team of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is also likely to arrive in Dhaka in a couple of days.
The ADB country director and the JICA resident representative held a meeting with Finance Minister AMA Muhith at his residence in Dhaka on Sunday.
A finance ministry official said ADB and JICA presented before the finance minister what would be the matrix for the new arrangements.
ADB has extended its loan effectuation deadline that expired on September 30 until December 21.
BBN/SSR/AD-01Oct12-9:30 am (BST)
