World Bank statement have no adverse impact on funding: Muhith

Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith claimed on Wednesday the World Bank's allegation that the Bangladesh government officials misrepresented its stance will have no adverse impact on the Padma bridge financing.

He told journalists at the Sylhet Osmani International Airport that the Washington-based lender stepped back from the Padma bridge project suspecting corruption. "But they will have to prove that there was corruption."

Muhith also said that the World Bank is being given "more scope to participate" in the graft investigation. "Bigger contracts would be signed by February and then work will start."

In its Tuesday's statement, the global lender said that it had shared repeatedly with the Government of Bangladesh credible evidence of corruption involving senior public officials tied to the Padma bridge project.

It added that the bank cancelled the $1.2-billion credit in the absence of a credible response by the government.