World Bank’s Banga sets goal of quintupling critical minerals financing in five years

October 16, 2026 9:48 AM

World Bank’s Banga sets goal of quintupling critical minerals financing in five years

World Bank President Ajay Banga on Friday said the development lender has set a goal of quintupling its critical minerals business in five years, and has identified 20 countries that it can partner with on critical minerals development projects. Banga revealed the new goal in prepared remarks to a plenary session at the International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok. "In critical minerals, we plan to quintuple our business in five years," Banga said. "This week, we launc...

India can clock growth beyond 8%: World Bank’s Ajay Banga

September 2, 2026 10:42 AM

India can clock growth beyond 8%: World Bank’s Ajay Banga

India has the potential to grow beyond its current 7-8 per cent trajectory, World Bank President Ajay Banga has said, describing the country’s latest economic performance as robust despite global energy pressures, trade uncertainty and the impact of El Niño. In an exclusive interview with IANS on the sidelines of the G20 Finance Ministers’ meeting in Asheville, Banga said the latest growth figures reflected the strength of India’s underlying economy. “India is now delivering regularly...

FM Sitharaman meets World Bank chief Ajay Banga, discusses deeper partnership and private capital mobilisation

September 2, 2026 10:09 AM

FM Sitharaman meets World Bank chief Ajay Banga, discusses deeper partnership and private capital mobilisation

Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met World Bank Group President Ajay Banga on the sidelines of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) Meeting in Asheville on Tuesday, with discussions focusing on further strengthening the India-World Bank partnership. FM Sitharaman appreciated the World Bank Group’s continued engagement with India and acknowledged the speedy processing of $1.5 billion in Development Policy Financing (DPF). She also appreci...