From New Age
The UK secretary of state for international development, Andrew Mitchell, on Monday urged the government of Bangladesh to focus its attention on ‘ensuring a healthy democracy’ and boosting the private sector, according to a British High Commission press release.
He stressed that constructive dialogue and strong, independent and accountable institutions ‘are crucial’ to
achieve sustainable democracy and development, particularly in the run up to the next national elections.
For free and fair elections dialogue between the government and the political parties is crucial, he told a news conference at the British High Commission’s club at Baridhara.
Mitchell leaves Dhaka, on way to Kathmandu, Tuesday morning, ending a three-day official visit to Bangladesh beginning Saturday.
He described president Zillur Rahman’s attempt to consult major political parties as a ‘welcome move’ and said that ‘any agreement’ among the parties would help holding credible elections in Bangladesh.
Strong, independent and accountable institutions are crucial to achieve sustainable democracy and development, Mitchell said.
Re-affirming his country’s commitment to Bangladesh’s development, Mitchell said that Britain planned to a significant scale up its aid programme to Dhaka over the next three years, but it would depend on the ‘robust delivery of results.’
He also said that for scaling up the aid package, his country would emphsasise on ‘value for money and accountability for every British pound spent’.
Mitchell said that the British government had zero tolerance to corruption.
He said that his country would also expect Bangladesh government to focus its attention on boosting the private sector to let it play its role in development to generate growth, trade and jobs.
Mitchell said he raised the issue of Grameen Bank and its former managing director Mohammad Yunus with foreign minister Dipu Moni.
He described Grameen Bank as a stunning example in the world on lifting people out of poverty.
He said that foreign minister Dipu Moni agreed with him about the huge contribution of the founder of Grameen Bank.
He said that Moni told him that the government had to follow the law and the regulations on the issue of Grameen Bank.
Asked about the British government’s decisions getting tough with migrant workers and foreign workers, Mitchell said, ‘We must make sure that our visa system is effective.’
British High Commissioner Robert Gibson and Department for International Development country representative Gwen Hines were present at the news conference.
During his visits to UK-funded projects run by BRAC and UCEP, Mitchell emphasised the need for finding new solutions to reach the poorest to lift them out of the cycle of poverty.
Mitchell met prime minister Sheikh Hasina, the leader of the opposition Khaleda Zia, finance minister AMA Muhith, foreign minister Dipu Moni and representatives of the private sector and NGOs.
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