SYLHET.Aug7:Fricndly relations between the United King-dom(UK)and Bangladesh will strengthen further In fu ture.said Jon Geddes.Second Secretary,Press,Political and Public Affairs,British High Commission in Bangladesh at a meeting with the Journalists at Sylhet Press Club on Monday evening.

Bangladeshi people living in UK have been playing a pioneering role In the development of the British economy .These people have also been keeping their mark in the field of education and public service .he added.

Abdul Malik Chowdhury, president of Sylhet Press Club presided over the meeting .while it was attended .among others.by Iqbal Siddlouee and Nurul Islam.Md Basnlruddin .general secretary of the press club conducted the meeting.

Geddes in his address said.Bangladesh remains a major partner of British Development programme.In Sylhet. amongst a number of pro-

jects.the Department of International Development is helping Sylhet Medical College to develop its curriculum and set up a model clinic.lt is also involved in construction of some briges In the region Including a major brige at Bhalrab .Geddes informed.

The Second Secretary said,the number of British -Bangladeshis will be about three lakh most of whom originate from this region.Besides.there are more than 10,000 Bangladeshi owned restaurants in UK,he said adding .this is not the only field in which Bangladeshis have become successfu 1 i_n Britain.The community have made valuable contributions, in various fields Including Public Service.Over the years .many Bangladeshis have made their homes around Brick Laneln London's East end.he said further.Indeed such has been the influence of the Bangladeshi conununity that Brick Lane was renamed as Bangla town by the

Bangladeshi Foreign Minister during his visit there.Bangla town represents a major success story in many ways. Geddes also Informed that.a Bangladeshi Arts Festival will be held In London in July 1999.

The Second Secretary said.Britain respects the freedom of worship of people of all religions and tnlr right to practise their own cultural her-itage.Thls Include.respect for the arranged marriage system which Is common throughout the Muslim World including Bangladesh.he said adding .however,there are instances where the respectable tradition of arranged marriage has been abused resulting In forced mar-riages.This Is being happened frequently which is a concern for all.

The British High Commission official visited the offices of two local dailies -The Syl-heter Dak and The Jalalabad on the next day.He also hosted a lunchfor some senior Journalists working in Sylhet