UK will remain a 'key partner' of Bangladesh as it leaves EU: Alison Blake

With the sustained economic growth and upcoming graduation from the LDC, the British High Commissioner in Dhaka has said that the UK will remain a “key partner” of Bangladesh even after leaving the European Union bloc.

Alison Blake said this is an “important juncture” for both the countries as the UK prepares to leave the UK and to reforge new, stronger trading relationships and as Bangladesh develops and advances.

In the coming years the development relations will also change from “aid to trade” with the UK’s extension of “everything but arms” trade preferences to Bangladesh post-Brexit, she said.

Blake was meeting the reporters under the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh’s (DCAB) flagship event ‘DCABtalk’ at the National Press Club on Tuesday.

Issues related to bilateral relations, the commonwealth, Rohingya refugees, and Bangladesh’s upcoming general elections dominated her talk.

The UK is the third largest single market for Bangladesh exports in the world, and also the second largest source of foreign direct investment in Bangladesh with over 25O British firms operating in Bangladesh. Over half a million Bangladeshis are living in the UK.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend the commonwealth summit in London next week when she will speak at the women’s forum event ‘education to empower’.

Referring to the second UK-Bangladesh Strategic Dialogue meeting held recently in London, she said that involved a “fruitful exchange” of views on political and bilateral issues, economic and development cooperation, lifting the cargo ban, security and defence cooperation and exchanges on current global issues.

She said it was clear through the dialogue that the UK wants a “stronger, deeper partnership” with Bangladesh.

“We are a key and dependable partner in Bangladesh’s journey to middle income status and beyond,” the High Commissioner said, congratulating Bangladesh on meeting the criteria for graduation.

On Bangladesh’s elections, she said the UK would not interfere in the internal political affairs of Bangladesh. “So you will not find me speculating about the politics or election outcomes.

“But as one Commonwealth partner to another, the UK, together with our international partners – the Commonwealth, EU and others – will continue to encourage a peaceful way forward, and encourage dialogue between all political parties in Bangladesh to resolve any difference”.

“We believe strongly in inclusive and participatory free and fair elections,” she said, adding that Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson during his visit to Bangladesh in February also stressed on the “importance of free and fair elections, a free media and affording political space to the opposition”.

She also commended Bangladesh’s response to the Rohingya crisis and said the UK would continue to keep the international spotlight on the issue, and support Bangladesh in its humanitarian response.

She also stressed “voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return” of Rohingyas to Myanmar saying that the return must be with “rights”.

DCAB President Rezaul Karim Lotus and General Secretary Mahfuz Mishu moderated the event.