UK aid for bridge over river Surma sought

Communications Minister Nazmul Huda made the request when British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Anwar Choudhury met him at his office yesterday.

The minister told the British envoy that the road network is likely to be largely affected by the current flood and mentioned about the need for procuring portable steel bridges with assistance from British DFID to carry out post-flood road rehabilitation works.

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Huda also informed the envoy about the steps taken by government for procurement of locomotives for the development of Bangladesh railway, formation of highway police and overall development of the transport sector, and sought British assistance in this regard.

About the current flood, the High Commissioner said his country is ready to help Bangladesh tackle the flood and take post-flood rehabilitation programmes.

The envoy also assured of continued British assistance for the development of Bangladesh's road infrastructure.

Communications Secretary Muhammad Shafiqul Islam was present on the occasion.

Anwar also met Commerce Minister Altaf Hossain Chowdhury at his office and discussed various aspects of British investment in Bangladesh.

The envoy stressed the importance of increasing port facilities in Bangladesh and said Britain would provide assistance to export-oriented industries of Bangladesh to help survive during the post-MFA period.

Both the minister and the British envoy expressed the hope that the existing trade and bilateral relations between the two countries would be intensified further in the years to come.

Bangladesh exports goods worth 600 million US dollars to UK a year while its import volume from that country stands at 60 million dollars.