The UK government has announced that it will double its aid to Bangladesh over the next four years, following a major review of Britain's global aid programmes.

The plans to redraw the aid map will concentrate efforts on countries where the UK aid will achieve the best results in combating poverty and building a safer world.

A target has been set of helping provide 50 million people globally with the means to work their way out of poverty over the next four years, a release of the British HC says.

In Bangladesh, the UK's development programme will focus on creating jobs and incomes, increasing skills, and making Bangladesh a more attractive place to do

business and helping the very poor pull themselves out of poverty by increasing their earning potential.

The UK programmes will also focus on strengthening the capability of the government in public financial management and to provide better basic social services such as education, health and clean water, helping girls and boys to complete primary school and improving family planning and reducing maternal deaths.

Andrew Mitchell, the UK's International Development Secretary, has made clear that some increased help is linked to key incountry reforms.

He said Britain will in future have bilateral aid programmes in a maximum of 27 countries, including Bangladesh.