On the other hand, European workers cannot work in typical Bangladeshi curry restaurants due to cultural and language barriers.

The mayor described the current problem the famous entertainment industry facing for the generation gap, which, however, opened up a window of opportunity for people here who can fit in the job.

"We're already facing staff crisis; our new-generation children are no longer interested in their forefathers' restaurant business rather they go for higher educationbecoming professors, doctors, solicitors or bankers and getting into the mainstream of British life," he said talking to the news agency in his hotel suite.

"To protect the famous curry industry that earns GBP 3.2 billion annually, workers must be recruited from Bangladesh," he said and hoped that the British government would consider this problem seriously.

The new, point-based British immigration laws prescribe recruitment of workers from European countries, shutting the doors on workers from Bangladesh and other LDCs. Under the high-skilled category, only highly qualified professionals can compete and get jobs in Britain.

Tower Hamlets may invest in a joint-venture project (JVP) in recycling or arsenic-mitigation sector in Bangladesh, said the visiting mayor of Tower Hamlets. In 2002 the Tower Hamlets set up recycling project here as a test case, but it was closed.

Asked about expatriates' investment in Bangladesh, he said the Bangladeshi expatriates would feel encouraged to invest in a big way if governance and political situation here improved. And he thinks a change for the better is possible.

"It's possible to improve the situation if political parties work together...Investment will come if there is political stability and security," he said, explaining why those who live in faraway countries of the world so eagerly long for betterment.

"We feel proud to our white colleagues when we hear good news from Bangladesh, but we feel ashamed of political violence and uncertainty," said the Bangladeshi community leader in London.

About the expatriates' demand to become voter in Bangladesh, he said, "It is our reasonable demand, and we raised it during the meetings with the Prime Minister and the opposition leader."

He lamented that despite persistent appeal, no governments have yet taken any step to make the expatriates voters. In support of the plea, he said Bangladeshi expatriates in the UK hold double passports of Britain and Bangladesh and they have their property in this country, because of their dual citizenship.

"Since we hold the Bangladeshi passport, why we will not be able to become voters," he argued. "The government seeks investment from the expatriates but refrains from making us voters."