The letters also asked the G-8 leaders to allow temporary free movement of labour under mode-4 of the General Agreement on the Trade in Services (GATS) of World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Foreign Affairs Adviser Iftekhar Chowdhury yesterday handed over the letter, written by Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed, to the ambassadors of G-8 countries at his office ahead of the 33rd G-8 summit to be held on June 6-8 in Heiligendamm, Germany.

In the letter, Fakhruddin asked the international community, especially the G-8 countries, to increase "necessary assistance" according to a philosophy of "partners reward performance".

In the letters he explained that Bangladesh has improved on its socio-economic indicators in the face of the pressures of globalisation.

The G-8 is a group of the eight most powerful countries in the world--United States, United Kingdom, Japan, France, Germany, Russia, Italy and Canada. Together, these countries represent 65 percent of the global economy.

Speaking to the media, the foreign adviser said that Fakhruddin has asked the G-8 leaders to consider the least-developed countries' concerns, such as duty-free access to exports such as ready-made garments.

In the letter, Fakhruddin explained that although the developed nations have agreed to give duty-free access to 97 percent of LDC goods, they have barred the most important LDC export goods from entering the developed countries, which constitute the other three percent.

Fakhruddin demanded that issues like "special and differential treatment" get proper legalisation during the WTO negotiations.

He asked the G-8 leaders to allow temporary free movement of labour under mode-4 of the GATS. This would include unskilled labour that would be of special benefit to large labour exporters like Bangladesh.

German Ambassador Frank Meyke said the G-8 countries welcome this Bangladesh initiative to directly and effectively voice its opinion.

Bangladesh is the biggest LDC country in terms of population.

He said the G-8 countries would take up this initiative in a positive way, especially issues of special interest to Bangladesh, such as foreign trade, trade and services liberalisation and development cooperation.

UNB add: The German ambassador expressed the hope that elections in Bangladesh will be held as soon as political party reforms and electoral preparations are complete within the timeframe set by the caretaker government.

"We think as soon as political party reforms and electoral preparations that are necessary for a democratic election are complete, the elections will be held within the timeframe set by the caretaker government," he told reporters.

He said the caretaker government is trying to bring about reforms of political parties for free and fair elections.