Rushanara Ali MP in Dhaka to ensure Britain’s ‘strong partnership’ with Bangladesh

British Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy for Bangladesh Rushanara Ali MP has come to Dhaka to what the British High Commission said ‘reaffirm the importance the UK attaches to its trade and investment with Bangladesh.’

“I am also keen to ensure Britain continues to have a strong partnership with Bangladesh in promoting further development and tackling the threat of Climate Change,” Ali was quoted as saying in a statement on Sunday.

The UK has strong business interests in Bangladesh and remains the second largest foreign investor.

Over 240 British companies are operating in sectors including retail, banking, energy, infrastructure, consultancy and education with main centres of operation in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet.

The UK is also the third single largest destination for exports from Bangladesh.  

During her visit, the Bangladesh born Labour Party MP will meet members of the British business community in Bangladesh, industry and business leaders, politicians and senior members of the government.

Ali said she would discuss “mutual prosperity goals with political and business partners”.

“This is my first visit to Bangladesh as a Trade Envoy. Besides our historic ties, Bangladesh has exciting opportunities for British companies as its economy is growing impressively. As a great trading nation we in the UK are keen to deepen our trade relationship with Bangladesh,” she said.

“International trade and investment can be a force for creating prosperity and opportunity as well as supporting innovation and creativity,” she said.

High Commissioner Alison Blake said the visit was a “sign of our commitment to build our trade and investment relationship with Bangladesh”.

“Her visit is a timely opportunity to discuss our commitments to build prosperity for both our countries, supporting Bangladesh’s economic development, and to identify ways to further strengthen our commercial and trade ties.”

The cross-party Trade Envoy programme was established in 2012 to build bilateral trade relationships and help drive economic growth in countries identified as key markets for the UK.

There are currently 24 Members of Parliament and Peers from across the political spectrum working as Trade Envoys covering over 50 different markets.

All trade envoys are personally selected by the Prime Minister for their experience, skills and knowledge of particular sectors and countries.

This is part of a new whole-of-government approach to boosting trade with priority markets and sectors.