DHAKA: Commerce Minister Col (retd) Faruk Khan said Bangladesh, as a least developed country, needs financial assistance from donors for enhancing trade capability, but no aid with strings binding the use.

"No financial aid for unnecessary project and with illogical conditions would be taken," he said.

The trade minister’s observations assert Bangladesh’s effort to stand on its own feet in footing the bill for development works.       

He said this at the first meeting of the National Steering Committee of Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) and Bangladesh at his office in the Ministry Thursday.

He emphasized including domestic research institutes and detecting the problems and finding solutions as per domestic demands.

Director-General of Commerce Ministry WTO Cell Omitav Chacraborti said a total of 36 member-countries among 47 countries have accepted many projects under EIF.

He presented a roadmap for finalizing the projects in different phases by July 2011.

Commerce Secretary Golam Hossain, officials concerned of the Ministry and representatives of business bodies were present at the meeting.

BDST: 1950 HRS, AUGUST 1, 2010