Brown lauds Bangladesh's economic performance

He made the remarks at a meeting with the visiting Bangladesh Finance Minister M Saifur Rahman on Wednesday evening, a press release said yesterday.

Saifur Rahman briefed the UN Deputy Secretary-General on the measures being adopted to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and poverty alleviation in Bangladesh.

He cited statistics that demonstrated the successes "despite many and varied constraints."

Malloch Brown also lauded Bangladesh's constructive role in the United Nations.

He expressed the hope that if called upon to do so, Bangladesh would be able to participate in any future peacekeeping or stabilisation operations in Lebanon.

He described the current crisis in Lebanon as "deeply critical" and underscored the need for a speedy diplomatic solution.

Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, ambassador and permanent representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations, who accompanied the minister, informed the UN Deputy Secretary-General that Bangladesh was following the evolving situation very closely and hoped to be able to discharge any responsibilities that it may be called upon to do.

Mahmudul Karim, economic minister at the Bangladesh Mission, was also present on the occasion.