Britain has urged Bangladesh to focus more on giving the private sector a
lift and ensuring a healthy democracy is in place for overall
development of the country.
"At the end of the day, what matters is wealth creation, growth and employment, and one of the ways to achieve these are to boost the private sector," British secretary of state Andrew Mitchell said at a media briefing here on Monday.
Mitchell, who arrived in Dhaka on Saturday, has met prime minister Sheikh Hasina, as well as the foreign and finance ministers, besides visiting some British aid projects.
On Monday, he reaffirmed that British aid to Bangladesh would be increased in the coming years. "The aid is scaled up to £1 billion for this year and the next three years," he said.
He said the money would be spent on upgrading basic service, developing the private sector, and fighting climate change.
ON TERRORISM
Noting that terror activities were not seen in the country over the last three years, Mitchell said, "It is a matter of great confidence that Bangladesh is free from terrorism."
Referring to the 2004 grenade attack on Anwar Chowdhury, the then British high commissioner to Bangladesh, he said no such event has recurred in the last three years since this government assumed office.
ON GRAMEEN BANK
Mitchell said he and the British government are great admirers of Prof Mohammed Yunus and the Grameen Bank for their role in "lifting millions of poor out of poverty".
"Bangladesh," he said, "should be proud of this Nobel laureate."
Asked if he discussed Yunus or Grameen Bank with prime minister Hasina, Mitchell said he talked about them with foreign minister. "I told her (Dipu Moni) that Prof Yunus has made immense contribution to help poorest of the poor. Now Grameen Bank has 8.3 million clients and 90 per cent of them are women," he said.
"The foreign minister also agreed with it."
Asked about his reaction to Yunus's removal from Grameen Bank, Mitchell said, "The foreign minister referred to some rules and regulations of the country in this regard, and we agreed with it."
ON ASSISTANCE
Mitchell clarified that the assistance Britain provides must be result-oriented, as it is taxpayers' money. "Britain is in trouble but we stood by our commitment to provide aid to Bangladesh," he said.
He also stressed that this fiscal aid depends on robust delivery of results, emphasising value for money, and accountability for every British pound spent. "There must be result (achieved with) the taxpayers' money spent on different projects," he stressed.
Visiting Khulna, Mitchell met some extremely poor communities vulnerable to climate change, and also went to households headed by women who have received grants to establish small businesses and generate income.
"What I saw today is clear proof that aid works," he said. "The people I have met – and 15 million more around the country - are being supported by UK Aid, which is improving hugely their ability to cope with natural disasters."
"At the end of the day, what matters is wealth creation, growth and employment, and one of the ways to achieve these are to boost the private sector," British secretary of state Andrew Mitchell said at a media briefing here on Monday.
Mitchell, who arrived in Dhaka on Saturday, has met prime minister Sheikh Hasina, as well as the foreign and finance ministers, besides visiting some British aid projects.
On Monday, he reaffirmed that British aid to Bangladesh would be increased in the coming years. "The aid is scaled up to £1 billion for this year and the next three years," he said.
He said the money would be spent on upgrading basic service, developing the private sector, and fighting climate change.
ON TERRORISM
Noting that terror activities were not seen in the country over the last three years, Mitchell said, "It is a matter of great confidence that Bangladesh is free from terrorism."
Referring to the 2004 grenade attack on Anwar Chowdhury, the then British high commissioner to Bangladesh, he said no such event has recurred in the last three years since this government assumed office.
ON GRAMEEN BANK
Mitchell said he and the British government are great admirers of Prof Mohammed Yunus and the Grameen Bank for their role in "lifting millions of poor out of poverty".
"Bangladesh," he said, "should be proud of this Nobel laureate."
Asked if he discussed Yunus or Grameen Bank with prime minister Hasina, Mitchell said he talked about them with foreign minister. "I told her (Dipu Moni) that Prof Yunus has made immense contribution to help poorest of the poor. Now Grameen Bank has 8.3 million clients and 90 per cent of them are women," he said.
"The foreign minister also agreed with it."
Asked about his reaction to Yunus's removal from Grameen Bank, Mitchell said, "The foreign minister referred to some rules and regulations of the country in this regard, and we agreed with it."
ON ASSISTANCE
Mitchell clarified that the assistance Britain provides must be result-oriented, as it is taxpayers' money. "Britain is in trouble but we stood by our commitment to provide aid to Bangladesh," he said.
He also stressed that this fiscal aid depends on robust delivery of results, emphasising value for money, and accountability for every British pound spent. "There must be result (achieved with) the taxpayers' money spent on different projects," he stressed.
Visiting Khulna, Mitchell met some extremely poor communities vulnerable to climate change, and also went to households headed by women who have received grants to establish small businesses and generate income.
"What I saw today is clear proof that aid works," he said. "The people I have met – and 15 million more around the country - are being supported by UK Aid, which is improving hugely their ability to cope with natural disasters."
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