The World Bank has expressed concern over Bangladesh's increased spending on defence. The bank's recent draft report on public expenditure said that "there is creeping increase in defence expenditure, which already accounts for 17-18 per cent of current spending". "This is questionable in view of the tremendous poverty alleviation task facing the country." Defence spending by Bangladesh has doubled in six years since 1990-91. The bank also questioned the large increase in government spending in other areas such as growing subsidies and interest payments.