Dhaka, May 17: The deteriorating law and order situation in the country is expected to overshadow the proceedings of the Bangladesh development forum meeting today where the government faces an uphill task of convincing world bank-led donors to pledge more aid. Prime Miniter Begum Khaleda Zia inaugurated the two-day BDF meeting at a local hotel this morning.

The donors, who attended a preparatory meeting yesterday, expressed grave concern at the deterioration in law and order.

Praising the government's policy, World Bank's vice president for South Asia Mieko Nishumizu said that the bank was unhappy with the law and order situation which was an impediment to development.
Finance Minister M Saifur Rahman acknowledged the same and underscored the need for immediate improvement of the situation to expedite the poverty alleviation drive.

Rahman and Nishumizu will alternatively chair the six working sessions of the meeting.

Besided the World Bank, Bangladesh will hold discussions with the Asian Development Bank and IMF on development issues and devise a strategy on how to assist next year's development program, especially in the face of shrinking foreign aid.

This is for the second time that BDF meeting is taking place in Dhaka since 1977 and is being coordinated by the World Bank.

Bureau Report