The Election Commission (EC) has been reconstituted for this purpose and the government has taken initiatives to separate the EC secretariat from the Prime Minister's office.

Law and Information Adviser Barrister Mainul Hosein said this while talking to a four-member delegation of China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations at his Information Ministry office here yesterday, said an official handout.

During the talks, the delegation members discussed various issues, including the present political situation in Bangladesh, the ongoing reforms activities of the government and the election and investment scenario in the country.

The adviser said the EC is working to prepare a voters' list with photographs and the general elections will be held before the end of 2008 on completion of voters' enrollment, the press release added.

Elaborating the ongoing reforms activities of the government, Barrister Mainul Hosein said an independent Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has been reconstituted, corrupts have been put on trial under the existing law of the land and the process of separating the judiciary from the executive has been started.

The adviser said an investment-friendly atmosphere is prevailing in the country. The investment procedures are very simple here, labour costs are very cheap and facilities at the Export Processing Zones are very suitable, he added.

Terming China as a very important friend of Bangladesh, he said, "We need the support and friendship of China," and added, "Bangladesh believes in peaceful relations with its neighbours."

The delegation members appreciated the government for its ongoing reforms activities.

The delegation members are Vice-president of the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations Li Shaoxian, Director Hu Shisheng, Deputy Director He Xiquan and Research Professor Ma Jiali.

President of the Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI) Faroque Sobhan was present in the meeting.