Call for Strengthened UK Cooperation in Various Sectors

•  President-British High Commissioner Meeting
• Congratulatory Letter from King Charles III on Election as President
• Bangladesh and UK Launch Digital Climate Data Exchange Initiative

President Mr. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for increased UK cooperation in Bangladesh’s education, human resource development and technology sectors, and for further strengthening business and investment between the two countries. He made this call during a courtesy call by British High Commissioner Ms. Sarah Cooke on the President at Bangabhaban yesterday, Monday. This information was disclosed in a press release signed by the President’s Press Secretary Mr. Md. Sarwar Alam.

During the meeting, Ms. Sarah Cooke handed over a congratulatory letter to Mr. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir from UK King Charles III on his election as President. The President expressed his sincere gratitude to King Charles III for the greetings and congratulatory letter, and requested that his own greetings be conveyed to the King through the British High Commissioner.

On this occasion, he sought UK cooperation in further expanding higher education opportunities for Bangladeshi students in the UK, increasing Commonwealth scholarships, developing the country’s human resources, and building the capacity of education and technology related institutions. He said that expatriate Bangladeshis living in Britain are making significant contributions to strengthening and developing ties between Britain and Bangladesh. Alongside bilateral relations, as a Commonwealth member state, Bangladesh continues to work closely with the UK on the development of Commonwealth countries and other matters of shared interest. He further said that Bangladesh has returned to a democratic path through a free, fair and peaceful election, and emphasized building the capacity of democratic institutions and elected representatives to further strengthen this path.

On this occasion, citing the UK’s long experience in practicing Westminster style democracy, the President emphasized regular communication, mutual visits and exchange of experience between the members of parliament of the two countries. The High Commissioner also informed that nearly 99.99 percent of Bangladesh’s products, including ready made garments, will continue to enjoy duty free and quota free access to the UK market for three more years following LDC graduation. The President described this facility as an important opportunity to further expand trade relations between the two countries.

The British High Commissioner also briefed the President on the initiative for digital climate data exchange between Bangladesh and the UK. The President expressed satisfaction that this initiative, through the exchange of weather and climate related information between the two countries, would play an effective role in making weather forecasts more accurate and in increasing agricultural production.

The meeting was attended by the Secretary of the President’s Office, the Press Secretary, the British Deputy High Commissioner and Development Director, and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and related departments.