"The support will continue," she said to the visiting Deputy Prime Minister of Nepal Amik Sherchan, also the minister for health and population, who sought cooperation from Khaleda as she is the Saarc chairperson. He had made a courtesy call on her at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) yesterday.

As the deputy primer minister sought cooperation from Bangladesh with his landlocked country, Khaleda said Nepal could use Mongla seaport and Banglabandh land-port of Bangladesh as their outlets.

"We believe in peace and democracy," Khaleda was quoted as saying to the deputy prime minister of Nepal.

Amik apprised Khaleda that discussions were going on between Nepal and India with many proposals on the table, including the setting up of a tunnel for trade communications. And if they get a positive outcome, they would use Mongla port.

He said Nepal also wants more facilities for Nepalese students' education in medical colleges of Bangladesh and cooperation from Bangladesh in the pharmaceutical sector.

The prime minister said Bangladesh would consider increasing medical seat quota for Saarc countries, including Nepal.

About cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector, she said Nepal could send a delegation to know about developments of the pharmaceutical industry here.

Khaleda stressed on enhancing the existing 'excellent' bilateral relations and said Bangladesh would do everything to improve the ties, particularly through cooperation in managing water resources and in trade, between the two countries.

She said, "If three neighbouring countries concerned can utilise water resources, the three would benefit."

Health Minister Khandokar Mosharraf Hossain and the PM's Principal Secretary Dr Kamal Siddiqui were also present.