Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali on Thursday said Britain wants to support Bangladesh in different areas as it has been working with the country for a long time and understands its situation well.
"Britain wants to help us in many ways as it has had a long advantage for a lot of centuries. They (Britain) have been working with us and they understand the situation in Bangladesh. They also have the necessary expertise, so let us see… We are discussing with them the possible areas of cooperation," he added.
The finance minister was talking to reporters at his office at the Bangladesh Secretariat after meeting with British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke.
Mahmood Ali said he broadly suggested to Britain what sorts of cooperation they can extend to Bangladesh, adding: "They informed us that they are considering the possible areas of cooperation."
During the meeting, the finance minister and Sarah Cooke discussed how the UK and Bangladesh can work together on economic reform issues to help Bangladesh have a sustainable and successful graduation from LDC status.
"Because we have a shared interest in having a prosperous and resilient Bangladesh," the British High commissioner added.
Later, French Ambassador to Bangladesh Marie Masdupuy made a courtesy call on the finance minister at his office.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Masdupuy said they discussed many areas of current cooperation and the excellent relations that they enjoy with the Ministry of Finance.
The ambassador also discussed the priorities of the finance minister in terms of economic and financial reforms which are important areas of the new responsibilities of the new cabinet.
"The finance mnister shared with me his priorities and we are also conducting some important reforms in France. That was an important exchange and we look forward to continuing our cooperation with the finance minister," she added.