Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia said here yesterday that the government was always wilting to reciprocate the beneficial work of social development organisations and provide them with condl lions to enable them to be come more effective, reports BSS

Addressing a dinner hosted at Hotel Sheraton by her In honour of the visiting Prince Karim Aga Khan, the Prime Minister hoped that thg Ismaill community, which had been traditionally been involved with the socio-economic uplift of developing countries in South Asia and Africa, would continue to actively participate in Bangladesh’s development efforts.

The Prime Minister said Bangladesh which had ensured market twonamy anti adopted liberal policy m order to attract direct foreign investments. would always welcome the Ismaill community’s initiatives to set up small, medium and large scale industries In Bangladesh since this would serve the twin objective of creating jobs and transferring modern technology.

She said the accord and protocol signed by Bangladesh and the Network yesterday was to formally institutionalise the already existing cooperation between Bangladesh and the Aga Khan Development Network.

She said: "we hope that under your wise and dynamic leadership the enterprising

Ismaili community will continue to play the vital role in •utlrf progress an! prosferftyrof Bangladesh.

Ministers. Members of Parliament, chiefs of three services, diplomats, high civil and military officials attended the dinner.

Accord signed

The Aga Khan spent a busy day yesterday, signing an accord of cooperation with the Bangladesh government, paying tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War at the Jaliya Shaheed Smritl Shou dha and discussing matters relating to development works in Bangladesh with three ministers.

The Aga Khan, who flew to Dhaka Monday on a four-day visit, signed the accord of cooperation between Bangladesh government and the Aga Khan Development Network, of which he is the chairman.

Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia signed the accord on behalf of the. Bangladesh government.

Foreign Minister ASM Mostaftzur Rahman and Prince Amyn Aga Khan, younger brother of Prince Karim Aga Khan, signed the protocol of cooperation for development between the government and the Aga Khan Development Network.

The signing ceremony was preceded by an hour-long meeting between the Prince and the Prime Minister during they exchanged views on matters of mutual interest.

Foreign Minister Mostafizur Rahman, Industries Minister Shamsul Islam Khan and Education Minister Jamiruddln Sircar called on the Aga Khan and* discussed with him various facets of development cooperation between the Aga Khan Development Network and Bangladesh government.

As 1n several other developing countries the network is engaged in socio-economic uplift of Bangladesh through various non-government organisations like the Grameen Bank, BRAC and the Proshika.

Earlier in the day, the Aga Khan ;flew by helicopter to Savar, 20 miles from Dhaka, and paid tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War at the Jatiya Shaheed Smriti Shoudha.

He placed a wreath at the memorial and stood in solemn silence In reverence to the martyrs while the bugle played the last post.