The World Bank will extend $111.5 million in loan to improve local governance in Bangladesh. World Bank country director Christine Wallich said “the emergence of effective local governments can create space for broader political participation and bring with it a chance for greater accountability of the state to citizens.” Local governments will also get a further $16 million from the United Nations Development Program and the European Union. (Source: World Bank loans Bangladesh $111.5 mln for local govt/Reuters)