"I live among donors and have never seen anyone of them dictating the government in any matter,"

said the representative of DFID (Department for International Development, UK).

He said there are some 'odd exceptions' in this case but did not elaborate them.

The DFID official made the comment at a press briefing in Dhaka yesterday, replying to a question about Finance Minister M Saifur Rahman's views on donors' dictations. Saifur alleged a few days ago that the donors often dictate the government in different policymaking issues.

"We see lots of reports in the newspapers about donors' dictations but I do not think so...the only thing donors usually do is to ask the government to follow the aid utilisation rules adopted in a Paris meeting a few years back," David Wood said.

The DFID representative also said the donors are there only to extend support and the development in Bangladesh must be made by the Bangladeshis themselves.

He stressed the need for accountability in government, donors and NGOs, capacity building of the government and effective utilisation of aid.

The briefing was organised to inform the press about the grand Asia 2015 Conference to be held in London on March 6-7. The conference jointly sponsored by the DFID, World Bank and ADB (Asian Development Bank) will confirm commitment to development and poverty reduction in Asia.

The conference will also discuss how increasing aid demands of Asia can be met.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair will formally open the conference to be participated dignitaries including Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, UK Secretary of State for International Development Gareth Thomas, ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda and World Bank Vice-President Praful Patel.

Senior ministers and officials from Cambodia, China, Japan, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam will also attend the conference.

A high-level delegation from Bangladesh led by Finance and Planning Minister M Saifur Rahman will attend the conference.

Representatives from civil society and business leaders will also join the conference and deliver speeches in a number of sessions. Bangladesh Enterprise Institute President Farooq Sobhan, founder of Brac Fazle Hasan Abed, CAMPE Executive Director Rashida Chowdhury, The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam and The Daily Ittefaq Editorial Board Chairman Mainul Hosein are among them.

The main theme of the conference is to listen to the voices from Asia, David Wood said.

Stressing the need for broader relationship between the donors and recipient countries, the DFID country representative said other than aid and project related issues there should be more discussion between the two sides. "It is partly about improving the aid relationship, but it would also move beyond financial aid to issues such as trade, debt relief, security, climate change, migration and reform in international organisations and private sector."

Appreciating Bangladesh's recent progress in different areas, the DFID official cited macro-economic stability, expansion of micro-finance, vast network for NGOs, primary school enrolment and low infant mortality as success stories.

Bangladesh still has to address enormous challenges like governance, improving the condition of underdeveloped communities and spreading benefit of development to all the people in an equal manner, David Wood added.

Responding to another query, DFID country representative said the British aid in Bangladesh is being used effectively.

DFID Senior Economic Adviser Tom Crowards was also present at the briefing.