The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday said the government, if necessary, will consider further relaxation of emergency powers rules for carrying out campaign in the upcoming local bodies elections.

The Chief Adviser made the remark during a courtesy call by new British High Commissioner in Dhaka Stephen Evans at the CA's office.

United Kingdom will send election observers for the August 4 elections to city corporations and municipalities in Bangladesh, Evans told the Chief Adviser.

The High Commissioner said they have already received an invitation letter from the Election Commission and will send election observers along with the European Union.

During the meeting, Dr Fakhruddin, the head of the caretaker government, said emergency power rules have already been relaxed allowing campaign for the elections to four city corporations and nine municipalities on August 4.

The government is further reviewing it and will take steps accordingly, he said.

Evans appreciated the caretaker government's reform activities as well as completion of voter lists with photographs of a large number of voters and termed it as an incredible job done in so short a time.

The Chief Adviser said reforms have been carried out to give a strong foundation for a strong democracy.

As the matter of climate change came up in the meeting, the British High Commissioner said UK would provide 50 million pounds to Bangladesh to address adversities of climate change.

Holding of the conference on climate change in London also featured in the meeting.

The Chief Adviser mentioned that Bangladesh is the worst sufferer of climate change. He said on short term, the country can handle any kind of natural calamities but for mid- and long-term measures it needs international assistance particularly for infrastructures and strong permanent embankments.

Dr Fakhruddin recalled his meeting with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in London when the climate change issue was discussed.

He said relation between Bangladesh and UK is multifaceted and the two countries can work closely in the fields of economy, trade and counter-terrorism.

Bangladesh's stand against terrorism is strong, he said, mentioning that not a single bomb was exploded and a single bullet fired in last one and half years in Bangladesh.

The Chief Adviser said Bangladesh want access for its products to the UK market. After Japan, UK is the big bilateral donor of Bangladesh.

High Commissioner Evans said the two-way flow of trade between the two countries continues to be good. Bangladeshi community in UK is contributing economically, culturally and politically.

He said Bangladesh is doing better economically and socially compared to other developing countries and its economic growth is impressive.

Evans, who was once in Bangladesh in 1991, said bilateral relations between Bangladesh and UK continue to change for better.

When informed that a British Minister is likely to visit Bangladesh on Thursday (July), the Chief Adviser said such high level visit is an indication of good relations between the two countries.

He said Bangladesh is steadily doing well in economic growth. Despite various problems, the country attained the UN millenium development goal (MDG) in gender parity in primary and secondary schools and women empowerment.

Dr Fakhruddin hoped that Bangladesh would move into a mid-income group country in next 15 years.

UK's cooperation for development of Bangladesh catering industry was also discussed in the meeting.

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim, who was present at the meeting, briefed newsmen afterwards.