Dhaka  - A German parliament delegation was expected to start a five-day visit to Bangladesh Friday to renew and strengthen ties between legislators of both countries, officials said Wednesday.

The five members of the German Bundestag were from both the ruling coalition and opposition, and were scheduled to meet parliament Speaker Abdul Hamid; Khaleda Zia, the leader of the opposition in parliament; and Foreign Minister Dipu Moni.

The German delegation was also to meet with members of civil society and the Bangladesh-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry and to visit the Chittagong sea port and a shipyard there, the German embassy said.

Discussions were also to take place on development cooperation in renewable energy, export promotion and health-sector development.

Germany has provided Bangladesh with 4.4 billion euros (5.57 billion dollars) in aid for social and economic development since its independence in 1971. (dpa)