The donors will critically scan the country's economic situation and reform programmes at the Bangladesh Development Forum (BDF) meet slated for March 13--15 in Paris, but will not hold any discussion on or pledge future financial assistance.

Law and order, governance, public expenditure, financial sector reforms and many other critical issues will figure at the talks. The spotlight will also be on the interim poverty reduction strategy that could become the main basis for any future assistance.

"The Paris meeting is no more a

forum to discuss future financial assistance. Rather, it analyses the government's policies," Finance and Planning Minister M Saifur Rahman yesterday told a group of newsmen at his office.

The minister however said the assessment of the government's policies and different programmes would frame the basis for any future assistance.

The Paris meeting is seen crucial as the country's search for external assistance took on a desperate edge after the recent economic downbeat. Because of a fragile balance of payment situation, the government initiated a dialogue with the IMF for a bailout. But the negotiation failed as the IMF conditionalities were too harsh to swallow. The World Bank handed over a huge volume of reform list to the government when it took over.

Saifur said the donors would discuss different reforms ranging from social sector to administration, from budget deficit to rising expenditure.

"There will also be discussions on future reforms," he added. "The trip to Paris has never been a sweet one."

The minister said there are lots to do for improving the economy and many regulatory bodies have to be set up for different sectors.

Meantime, the government has already prepared the draft memorandum for the Paris club meeting, detailing the country's state of the economy and the government's already taken and would-be steps to improve governance and economy.

Saifur will fly off to Paris on March 11. He will be accompanied by, among others, Commerce Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, State Minister for Mineral Resources AKM Mosharraf Hossain, Cabinet Secretary Dr Ali Akbar Khan, Principal Secretary Dr Kamal Siddiqui, ERD Secretary Anisul Huq Chowdhury, Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed, and Finance Secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan.