Dhaka: Newly appointed British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Alison Blake on Sunday said that Britain would continue to support Bangladesh in the country's development efforts.

‘We'll continue support to the development efforts of Bangladesh,’ Blake said when she made a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office.

PM's press secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed the reporters after the meeting.

The British High Commissioner said that she would work for further strengthening the bilateral ties of the two countries.

She said that the British businesses want to expand their operations in Bangladesh, especially in the energy sector.

Blake also praised highly the performances of the Bangladeshi students in their 'O Level' and 'A Level' examinations.  

The new envoy informed the Prime Minister that she was overwhelmed to see the enthusiasm at the Amar Ekushey Boi Mela.

Recalling the support and contribution of British people and political leadership during the War of Liberation, Sheikh Hasina appreciated the continued British development assistance to Bangladesh since independence.

She also expressed happiness as three Bangladesh-origin women became lawmakers in the British Parliament in the UK polls held in May 2015.  

A total of 11 Bangladesh-origin persons contested the British general elections, but Tulip Siddiq, Rushnara Ali and Rupa Asha Haque successfully came out.

Tulip is granddaughter of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and niece of Hasina.  

In this connection, Hasina said, ‘This was the manifestation of the Bangladeshi diaspora taking greater interest in British politics thus contributing to both communities,’

Reiterating that her aim is to further develop the country, the prime minister said that her government has expanded the internet services to the rural level while some 257 various kinds of online services are being provided to common people.

Expressing satisfaction over the existing bilateral relations between the two countries, Sheikh Hasina hoped that this would further be strengthened in the future.

She also assured the British High Commissioner of providing all-out support and cooperation while discharging her duties during her stay in Bangladesh.

Referring to the discussion over climate change issues, Hasina said that Bangladesh has adopted schemes to combat climate change.  

She also mentioned her government's various projects under social safety net.

PM's International Affairs adviser Gowher Rizvi and PMO secretary Suraiya Begum were present, among others, on the occasion.