Benn, who visited Bangladesh in 2002 last, arrives Dhaka this morning on his way to the Ministerial Meeting of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Hong Kong from December 13-18.

On the first day of his visit, the British minister will call on Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and Finance and Planning Minister M Saifur Rahman, sources at the British High Commission told The Daily Star yesterday.

He would attend the signing ceremony of the deals on the £161 million Rural Electrification Development Programme (REDP) and £7.5 million Remittance and Payments Project (RPP), the sources added.

The UK's Department for International Development (DFID) will provide £50 million for the Rural Electrification Development Programme.

The British minister is likely to discuss with them the development challenges facing Bangladesh and the progress in poverty reduction programmes as well as Britain funded activities.

"Benn will see for himself how the readymade garments sector, the largest source of export revenue for Bangladesh, is coping with the phasing out of the Multi-Fibre Agreement. He will be interested to explore what is being done to attract higher levels of investment to Bangladesh," said an official of the UK High Commission.

He is also expected to deliver a speech on Trade and Investment, jointly organised by the Department for International Development and Bangladesh Enterprise Institute.

Prior to his departure on Monday, Benn will address a press conference at the British High Commission.