TBT DESK: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has categorically reiterated that it is a development partner of Bangladesh and expressed its willingness to continue supporting the country during the tenure of this democratically elected government.

This was expressed when the visiting Bangladesh delegation, led by Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, held two meetings with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Friday on the sidelines of the World Bank-IMF Spring Meetings in the Washington DC in the USA, reports BSS.

The first meeting took place in the morning with IMF's Asia and Pacific Department Director Krishna Srinivasan and his team, while the second meeting was held in the afternoon with IMF Deputy Managing Director Nigel Clarke and his team, said a press release issued from the Bangladesh Embassy in the Washington DC.

Both meetings were held in a positive and constructive atmosphere. During the discussions, the Finance and Planning Minister highlighted the governance approach of the incumbent elected government as well as the key commitments outlined in the BNP's election manifesto.

Key issues discussed included measures increasing revenue collection and reforms in the banking and financial sectors. The two sides reached agreement on most issues, while also acknowledging that further discussions are needed on certain matters.

The finance minister emphasized the government's firm stance on issues directly related to public interest. Although there were differences of opinion on some issues, both sides have agreed to continue the discussion while consensus on all aspects is possible through mutual discussion and dialogue, added the release.

Meanwhile, the press wing of the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC clarified that reports published in some newspapers claiming that the IMF had suspended the next tranche of its loan citing reform failures are completely untrue.