The United Kingdom would increase its assistance to $250 million in two years, said British Development Minister Mike Foster at a press conference in the city Thursday.
"In 2008-09, the UK's total aid to Bangladesh is about $200 million and it will reach $250 million by 2010-11," he said.
The development programmes are focused on tackling extreme poverty, climate change, improving governance, building better social services and improving the status of women, he said.
The whole world is affected by the global meltdown but it would be 'wrong' to downsize development for the developing world, he added.
"The UK is committed to maintaining its aid flow as the developing world is also vulnerable to global shock," he explained.
Bangladesh is not affected much by the global crisis but its remittance and export earnings would decline in the future, he said.
He, however, said Bangladesh could maintain its remarkable growth rate in the coming years.
"The global economic crisis underlines the importance of maximising Bangladesh's human resources to develop the economy," he added.
About the recruitment of Bangladeshis for Great Britain's catering industry, he said around two million British people are currently unemployed and the hotels could recruit those people, he said.
About the BDR mutiny, he said it is a serious challenge for the new government.
"Governments around the world face challenges and a good government always handles crises in an efficient manner," he said.
The press conference was attended by British High commissioner in Bangladesh Stephen Evans and head of Department for International Development Chris Austin.
Another FE report adds: The UK minister Mike Foster MP said Thursday that Britain's Department for International Development (DFID) will raise its aid to GBP 150 million for Bangladesh by the fiscal year 2011 from the present level of GBP 114 million.
He also assured the government of continuing his government's support for helping Bangladesh attain its future development goals.
"As a development partner, we want to support Bangladesh, especially in the areas of poverty alleviation and other social development programmes," he told local newsmen after a meeting with the Finance Minister AMA Muhith at the latter's office
The UK Minister, who is on a three-day visit to Bangladesh, said he had a very 'productive' meeting with Bangladesh Finance Minister.
Terming the manifesto of the present government 'ambitious', Mr. Mike Foster said it was mainly because the government wants to make Bangladesh a middle-income country.
The DFID is providing aid worth Great Britain Pound (GBP)114-million to Bangladesh for the current fiscal while the amount will be increased to GBP 125 million in the fiscal year 2009-'10, the Department sources said.
Later, Mr. Muhith informed the media that he sought the DFID's enhanced support, especially for the development of country's agriculture and rural sectors.
As one of the largest bilateral donors, the DFID has been providing its assistance to Bangladesh in various development programmes, he added.
