Besides, Pakistan has promised $10 million worth of wheat to Bangladesh.

The assurances were made when Chief Adviser (CA) Fakhruddin Ahmed met the leaders of these countries in bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Saarc Summit in New Delhi in the last two days. He also held bilateral talks with the heads of state of Nepal and the Maldives.

During the meetings, Fakhruddin informed the five heads of state that the caretaker government of Bangladesh is engaged in wide-ranging reforms to create a level playing field for holding a free, fair and credible election.

Afghanistan President Karzai in his meeting with Fakhruddin yesterday at Hotel Taj Palace in New Delhi said that he is keen on recruiting Bangladeshi construction workers, doctors and nurses. Besides, Afghanistan is also interested in Bangladesh's help in the social sector, Syed Fahim Munaim, press secretary to the CA, said at a later press briefing.

Bangladesh would soon re-open its embassy in Kabul, he said.

Fakhruddin offered Bangladesh's assistance in reconstructing Afghanistan, after Karzai described the destruction of infrastructures from years of war and violence in his country, Fahim said.

The Afghanistan president appreciated Bangladeshi NGO activities in his country, particularly micro-credit and other social-sector operations by Brac.

Both leaders invited each other to visit their countries.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa told Fakhruddin that businessmen of his country are eager to invest in Bangladesh, namely in pharmaceuticals, because of the recent boom in quality medicine production in Bangladesh, Fahim informed.

In the meeting at the Hotel Maurya Sheraton on Tuesday night, Rajapaksa also said that a Lankan trade delegation would soon visit Dhaka to assess Bangladesh's investment potential.

The CA encouraged Sri Lanka to profit by Bangladesh's various investment facilities, such as export processing zone (EPZ).

Fakhruddin also condemned the recent air attacks by the LTTE in Sri Lanka, when the matter was raised by Rajapaksa.

The Sri Lanka president also expressed his gratitude to Bangladesh for training up Sri Lankan Navy officers to a high standard and said that more officers would be sent in the future.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz met with Fakhruddin at the Taj Maansingh yesterday, after which he told reporters, "We have already started emulating a number of Bangladeshi development ideas, such as micro-finance."

Meanwhile, Fakhruddin told reporters, "Pakistan has shown great interest in following Bangladesh's development projects."

In the meeting, Fakhruddin apprised Shaukat of the caretaker government's election and government reform programs, Fahim told the briefing.

Shaukat observed that the caretaker government actions have been for the good of the people and hoped for a smooth transition, Fahim said.

The Pakistan president also offered to assist Bangladesh in introducing voter ID cards, which was attempted in Pakistan. He also offered Pakistan's help in any matter required by Bangladesh, the press secretary to the CA added.

Besides, Shaukat lauded the government's decision regarding political party registration, saying that it is compulsory in Pakistan.

Both the leaders invited each other to visit their respective countries.

In his bilateral meeting with Nepal Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala yesterday, Fakhruddin extended Bangladesh's cooperation in reconstructing the country after a decade-long Maoist insurgency.

Fakhruddin also met with Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom yesterday.

Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, Acting Foreign Secretary Touhid Hossain and Acting Secretary to the CA's office Kazi Aminul Islam were present during the meetings.