"Let [the ministries] spend the money first," Saifur told reporters after a meeting with

Administrator of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Mark Malloch Brown at his Secretariat office.

Brown and Saifur later told the reporters they discussed the status of UNDP projects in Bangladesh, governance and flood, among other issues. However, they did not discuss the contradicting flood damage estimates of the UN, the government and the Centre for Policy Dialogue, an independent civil society think-tank.

Brown, who arrived here on a three-day visit to see flood damage, told newspersons the UN had its estimate based on the government assessment and it is subject to change. "The figure may be reworked if the damages appear to be too much. It's too soon to speak about the final number," the UNDP administrator said.

The government and the donors are jointly assessing the flood damage and a final estimate would be available soon, he added.

Brown said the UN launched a $210 million aid appeal immediately after the recession of floodwaters and that he was optimistic about a positive response from the donors if the government seeks assistance after assessing the damage.

Saifur said the damage is huge and different ministries are coming up with varying estimates. The government has not arrived at the final estimate. "It is too early to say exactly how much resources we will be needing..."

The government will make a realistic assessment to come up with a figure that is credible to the international community. "We'll definitely get their support if our estimate is plausible."

The finance minister said Britain and the UNDP have proposed to help modernise the police administration to improve law and order situation.