Cameron in the capital

Former British Prime Minister David Cameron arrived in the capital on a brief visit last night.

Officials from the British High Commission and Bangladesh foreign ministry received him at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:05pm, said an official.

He will attend a roundtable discussion with Bangladeshi civil society members, economists and business leaders today.

The Bangladesh chapter of International Growth Centre (IGC) hosts the roundtable titled "Fragility, growth and development: Bangladesh's progress" at a city hotel, one of the invitees told UNB.

Prominent economist Rehman Sobhan is likely to chair the roundtable. IGC Bangladesh Country Director Sultan Hafeez Rahman, Country Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud and Badiul Alam Majumdar, among others, will be present.

Cameron is the chair of IGC's Commission on State Fragility, Growth and Development.

The host, however, remained tight-lipped about Cameron's engagements in Dhaka.

The British politician will meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Gono Bhaban at 10:00am today, another official told UNB.

The commission aims to generate innovative ideas to help tackle state fragility and state failure. Promoting inclusive growth in fragile and conflict situations is now a key priority for development.

During his brief visit, Cameron is likely to visit a DFID-funded project.

He was the prime minister of the United Kingdom from 2010 to 2016.

Cameron will leave Dhaka today after his less than 24-hour stay here. Initially, his visit was planned for four days but has been cut short apparently due to the upcoming UK elections.

British Prime Minister Theresa May has called a general election for June 8, amid polls that indicate she could win a huge Tory majority in parliament.