Dhaka- A visiting British official said Thursday that Britain would increase its assistance to Bangladesh to help the democratically-elected government carry out its socio-economic development programmes.

"The British government will increase its development assistance to Bangladesh," Mark Lowcock, the director general of the Department for International Development (DFID), told reporters after a meeting with Bangladesh's foreign minister Dipu Moni.

"We expect in the 2010-11 financial year to provide Bangladesh with 150 million pounds (206 million US dollars)," he added.

Lowcock said his country would provide support for development cooperation, health and education sector development and for fighting climate change.

This was a first visit by any British official to Bangladesh since the Awami League-led alliance of Sheikh Hasina Wazed assumed office on January 6, ending two years rule of an army-backed interim government.

The DFID aid to Bangladesh in the current 2008-09 fiscal year is 114 million pounds (156 million US dollars).

In September 2008, Britain committed 75 million pounds for climate change adaptation and mitigation in Bangladesh, considered to be one of the countries to be the worst affected by global warming.

Bangladesh created a multi-donor trust fund for climate change adaptation and mitigation. Britain has urged international donors to join the Bangladesh's fight against climate change adversity. (dpa)