Special Correspondent :
The UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy for Bangladesh, Rushanara Ali MP, arrived in Dhaka
on Sunday to reaffirm the importance that her country attaches to its trade and investment with Bangladesh.
This is her first visit to Bangladesh as a trade envoy, according to information provided by the British High Commission’s official website.
The view of her visit will be reaffirming the importance the UK attaches to its trade and investment with Bangladesh while the Britain is the second largest foreign investor in Bangladesh, diplomatic sources said.
During her visit, the Bangladesh-born British envoy will meet members of the UK business community in Bangladesh, industry and business leaders, political leaders and senior members of the Government.
Marking Rushanara Ali’s visit, the British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Ms Alison Blake, said: “Ms Ali’s visit is 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 the countries, supporting Bangladesh’s economic development, and to identify ways to further strengthen our commercial and trade ties.”
It is to be noted that, the UK has strong business interests in Bangladesh. Over 240 British companies are operating in different 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.
Rushanara Ali said: “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.
“During this visit I will discuss mutual prosperity goals with political and business partners. International trade and investment can be a force for good, creating prosperity and opportunity as well as supporting innovation and creativity. 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,” she said.
Rushanara Ali is the Labour Party MP for the Constituency of Bethnal Green and Bow. In her Parliamentary career, she has been Shadow Minister for Education and International Development and a member of the Parliamentary Treasury Select Committee. She currently serves as a member of the Parliamentary Select Committee for Energy and Climate Change.
Recently, Rushanara Ali, who is also co-chair of all party parliamentary group for Burma, has expressed grave concern over the killings and violence in the Muslim dominated Rakhine State of Myanmar.
Against this backdrop, she along with 70 members has urged the UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson to intensify his government’s pressure on the Myanmar government and allow full humanitarian access to the Rohingya Muslims in the North Rakhine State of Myanmar.
In the letter she said: “There currently exists an urgent need to prevent further violation on the Rohingya’s human rights. With the UN estimating that 30, 000 people are already displaced, many of the Rohingyas are crossing the border into Bangladesh to join the thousands of refugees already seeking asylum.”
The UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy for Bangladesh, Rushanara Ali MP, arrived in Dhaka
on Sunday to reaffirm the importance that her country attaches to its trade and investment with Bangladesh.
This is her first visit to Bangladesh as a trade envoy, according to information provided by the British High Commission’s official website.
The view of her visit will be reaffirming the importance the UK attaches to its trade and investment with Bangladesh while the Britain is the second largest foreign investor in Bangladesh, diplomatic sources said.
During her visit, the Bangladesh-born British envoy will meet members of the UK business community in Bangladesh, industry and business leaders, political leaders and senior members of the Government.
Marking Rushanara Ali’s visit, the British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Ms Alison Blake, said: “Ms Ali’s visit is 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 the countries, supporting Bangladesh’s economic development, and to identify ways to further strengthen our commercial and trade ties.”
It is to be noted that, the UK has strong business interests in Bangladesh. Over 240 British companies are operating in different 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.
Rushanara Ali said: “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.
“During this visit I will discuss mutual prosperity goals with political and business partners. International trade and investment can be a force for good, creating prosperity and opportunity as well as supporting innovation and creativity. 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,” she said.
Rushanara Ali is the Labour Party MP for the Constituency of Bethnal Green and Bow. In her Parliamentary career, she has been Shadow Minister for Education and International Development and a member of the Parliamentary Treasury Select Committee. She currently serves as a member of the Parliamentary Select Committee for Energy and Climate Change.
Recently, Rushanara Ali, who is also co-chair of all party parliamentary group for Burma, has expressed grave concern over the killings and violence in the Muslim dominated Rakhine State of Myanmar.
Against this backdrop, she along with 70 members has urged the UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson to intensify his government’s pressure on the Myanmar government and allow full humanitarian access to the Rohingya Muslims in the North Rakhine State of Myanmar.
In the letter she said: “There currently exists an urgent need to prevent further violation on the Rohingya’s human rights. With the UN estimating that 30, 000 people are already displaced, many of the Rohingyas are crossing the border into Bangladesh to join the thousands of refugees already seeking asylum.”
