Visiting Asian Development Bank President Takehiko Nakao yesterday highly praised Bangladesh's tremendous socioeconomic success, saying that the country has immense potential to emerge as an economic power in Asia.

The ADB president's appreciation came when he paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Gonobhaban.

Prime Minister's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.

He said the ADB president mentioned that Bangladesh has immense potential to emerge as an economic power in Asia like China and India.

He said that many countries are now considering investments in Bangladesh seeing its huge potential.

Mentioning that the ADB has been working with Bangladesh for its socioeconomic development since 1973, Takehiko Nakao said his organisation is ready to assist in power, transport and other sectors for boosting the country's economy further.

Welcoming the ADB president in Bangladesh, the prime minister said the aim of her government is to ensure development of the grassroots people and various welfare-oriented initiatives have been undertaken to this effect.

Hasina said the government has given top priority on education to achieve the desired development goal and it is encouraging students to pursue science and technical education to this end.

While talking about steps taken to resolve traffic congestion, she said her government has taken various initiatives including construction of metro rail and flyovers.

The press secretary said the Rohingya issue also came up in their discussion and the prime minister informed him of the adverse effects of the Rohingya influx on the environment and people of Cox's Bazar.