UNB, Dhaka :
As a close friend of Bangladesh, the United Kingdom (UK) wants to see a confident Bangladesh with “strong, transparent and accountable” democratic institutions, said a visiting British Minister here on Sunday.
“We want to see a lively debate, a vibrant civil society, and competitive elections,” said British Minister of State for the Asia and the Pacific Mark Field while delivering keynote address at a seminar in a city hotel.
PM’s Political Affairs Adviser HT Imam spoke as the chief guest while PM’s Economic Affairs Advisers Dr Mashiur Rahman as the guest of honour at the seminar.
Policy Research Institute (PRI) of Bangladesh organised the seminar titled ‘Governance and Development- the Way Forward for Bangladesh’ moderated by PRI Executive Director Dr Ahsan H Mansur.
The UK Minister said they want to see this flourishing democratic landscape carefully scrutinised and held to account by a free and vibrant media.
“That would be a wonderful vision for Bangladesh in its second half century, and it would also be the best way for it to realise its undoubted potential,” said the British Minister of State adding that the UK stands ready to help Bangladesh achieve that potential, in whatever way they can.
Minister Field said the bonds of history and kinship between the two countries make the relationship particularly strong and deep.
“As a longstanding friend, the UK welcomes the great strides that Bangladesh has made over the last half century, and recognises the great potential it has to achieve still more in the next,” said Field who is in Dhaka for the third time. He will leave here for London on Monday.
The British Minister mentioned that Bangladesh is looking forward to its 50th anniversary in two years’ time, and to celebrating many achievements, from bringing over 50 million people out of extreme poverty since 1990, to increasing the life expectancy and reducing infant mortality, to boosting economy to one of the fastest growing in the world.
“We’ll be celebrating with you, remembering the part our country played in your liberation struggle,” he said adding that he himself remembers the momentous days of the “Stop Genocide, Recognise Bangladesh” rally in Trafalagar Square; George Harrison’s benefit concert in New York; and reports in the British papers about Bangabandhu’s return via London to a newly independent Bangladesh.
As a close friend of Bangladesh, the United Kingdom (UK) wants to see a confident Bangladesh with “strong, transparent and accountable” democratic institutions, said a visiting British Minister here on Sunday.
“We want to see a lively debate, a vibrant civil society, and competitive elections,” said British Minister of State for the Asia and the Pacific Mark Field while delivering keynote address at a seminar in a city hotel.
PM’s Political Affairs Adviser HT Imam spoke as the chief guest while PM’s Economic Affairs Advisers Dr Mashiur Rahman as the guest of honour at the seminar.
Policy Research Institute (PRI) of Bangladesh organised the seminar titled ‘Governance and Development- the Way Forward for Bangladesh’ moderated by PRI Executive Director Dr Ahsan H Mansur.
The UK Minister said they want to see this flourishing democratic landscape carefully scrutinised and held to account by a free and vibrant media.
“That would be a wonderful vision for Bangladesh in its second half century, and it would also be the best way for it to realise its undoubted potential,” said the British Minister of State adding that the UK stands ready to help Bangladesh achieve that potential, in whatever way they can.
Minister Field said the bonds of history and kinship between the two countries make the relationship particularly strong and deep.
“As a longstanding friend, the UK welcomes the great strides that Bangladesh has made over the last half century, and recognises the great potential it has to achieve still more in the next,” said Field who is in Dhaka for the third time. He will leave here for London on Monday.
The British Minister mentioned that Bangladesh is looking forward to its 50th anniversary in two years’ time, and to celebrating many achievements, from bringing over 50 million people out of extreme poverty since 1990, to increasing the life expectancy and reducing infant mortality, to boosting economy to one of the fastest growing in the world.
“We’ll be celebrating with you, remembering the part our country played in your liberation struggle,” he said adding that he himself remembers the momentous days of the “Stop Genocide, Recognise Bangladesh” rally in Trafalagar Square; George Harrison’s benefit concert in New York; and reports in the British papers about Bangabandhu’s return via London to a newly independent Bangladesh.
