Dhaka: UK's Minister of State for International Development Desmond Swayne arrived in Dhaka on Sunday morning to reaffirm Britain's commitment to supporting Bangladesh's development and engaging with local audiences about the UK government's priorities.

‘2015 is a crucial year for development and I'm very pleased to be here in Bangladesh,’ he said on his arrival.

The British minister said both the countries have a strong relationship built over the years and he wants to see that become even stronger as Bangladesh flourishes and leads its own development.

During his three-day visit, the minister will also assess progress made towards promoting economic prosperity and development in Bangladesh.

The UK supports the government of Bangladesh's aim to achieve middle-income status within the next decade.

Following on from Bangladesh's commitments to ending child marriage made at the 2014 Girl Summit in London, the minister would like to find out more about ongoing work to tackle this important issue.

UK International Development Minister Desmond Swayne said: ‘Over the next few days, I want to meet people who are benefitting from the UK's support and also those working hard to ensure our help reaches those who need it most.

High on my agenda will be finding out more about progress made around safety in the garment industry since Rana Plaza as well as seeing how DFID's support has transformed livelihoods in the Chars.’

He will also want to find out more about life in urban areas where community groups and savings programmes, along with business and technical training, are giving people the tools to lift themselves out of poverty.

The minister will meet a range of people, including top government officials, development partners, civil society members, the business community and most importantly ordinary Bangladeshis who have benefitted from the UK's support.

Desmond Swayne TD was appointed as Minister of State at the Department for International Development on 15 July 2014.

He was elected Conservative MP for New Forest West, in Hampshire, in 1997.