{"id":73509,"date":"2021-11-18T21:35:36","date_gmt":"2021-11-18T21:35:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/en.bornomalanews.com\/?p=73509"},"modified":"2021-11-18T21:35:36","modified_gmt":"2021-11-18T21:35:36","slug":"uk-reinforces-commitment-to-deepening-of-bilateral-relations-with-bangladesh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/en.bornomalanews.com\/?p=73509","title":{"rendered":"UK reinforces commitment to deepening of bilateral relations with Bangladesh"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Dhaka:<\/strong> British Minister for South Asia, the United Nations and the Commonwealth Lord Tariq Ahmad has set out opportunities for enhanced trade and investment between UK and Bangladesh, with particular focus on service sectors in which the UK is a world-leader.<\/p>\n

Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, who is also the UK Prime Minister\u2019s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, held meetings with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, as well as with representatives of civil society organisations and the humanitarian sector.<\/p>\n

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In his meetings, Lord Ahmad discussed the path to Bangladesh\u2019s landmark graduation from Least Developed Country Status, which is due in 2026.<\/p>\n

In a busy programme of meetings and visits, the Minister reinforced the UK\u2019s commitment to deepening cooperation with Bangladesh across a wide range of issues including trade, security, climate change and the Rohingya crisis.<\/p>\n

Lord Ahmad urged the Government of Bangladesh to implement the relevant rules to allow UK higher education institutions to offer their services in Bangladesh.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis would offer young Bangladeshis more choice and support quality improvement across the sector as part of the Bangladesh government's drive to improve the effectiveness and relevance of Higher Education,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

During his meetings, Lord Ahmad had the opportunity to discuss the valuable contribution of civil society, media, and academia to the partnership between the UK and Bangladesh.<\/p>\n

He acknowledged the challenges facing some of these groups, and highlighted the UK\u2019s commitment to supporting human rights and democratic values. He also supported their commitment to the democratic process ahead of Bangladesh\u2019s upcoming elections.<\/p>\n

In his meeting with faith leaders, Lord Ahmad highlighted the importance that the UK attaches to freedom of religion and belief. He also encouraged further focus on inter-religious dialogue, with particular attention to the intersection between freedom of religion and belief and gender equality.<\/p>\n

Lord Ahmad also discussed the outcomes of COP26 and looked forward to strengthening the UK-Bangladesh partnership on climate action, which combines expertise and technology alongside the recently-announced \u00a3120 million (14.2 billion taka) of UK Aid funding to overcome climate challenges.<\/p>\n

On November 17, Lord Ahmad represented the UK at the Indian Ocean Rim Association Council of Ministers. Speaking in the UK\u2019s capacity as Dialogue Partner, Lord Ahmad said that the type of cooperation that IORA did best would be invaluable in the response to the legacy of the pandemic, climate change and the sustainable use of the Indian Ocean\u2019s maritime resources.<\/p>\n

On November 16, Lord Ahmad visited Cox\u2019s Bazar and met Rohingya families and community leaders to learn about the persecution they had suffered in Myanmar, and to hear first-hand about the challenges that life in the camps presents.<\/p>\n

The Rohingyas were clear that they were keen to return home and stressed their gratitude to the Government of Bangladesh for welcoming and protecting them in the meantime. They also explained how important it was that they had access to education and livelihood opportunities while they were still in Bangladesh.<\/p>\n

The Minister was struck by the well-organised and well-coordinated UN humanitarian operation in the camps.<\/p>\n

In particular, he noted the importance of properly registering the Rohingya living there, and the link this provided to the regular distribution of food and cooking gas.<\/p>\n

The camp infrastructure is being maintained to a good standard with rapid repairs where the weather causes damage that could jeopardise lives. Rehabilitation of the environment was also very much in evidence.<\/p>\n

The British Minister was concerned to hear about the challenges during the hours of darkness when deteriorating security presented a much greater threat, particularly for women and girls.<\/p>\n

He was encouraged by the increasing presence of law enforcement agencies and the commitment of the Government to improving security.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cMy heart goes out to all those affected by recent violence in the Rohingya camps in Cox\u2019s Bazaar. I was moved by the dignity and fortitude I witnessed amongst the refugees living there. The UK has already provided over \u00a3320 million to the humanitarian response to the crisis, and will continue to work with the Government of Bangladesh to support the Rohingya for as long as necessary until their safe, voluntary and dignified return can be guaranteed,\u201d Lord Ahmad said.<\/p>\n

On 15 November Lord Ahmad delivered a speech to an audience at the Bangladesh Foreign Service Academy, in which he celebrated the first 50 years of friendship between the UK and Bangladesh, and set out his ambitions for the next 50 years.<\/p>\n

Lord Ahmad also announced new UK funding of \u00a354 million, that will be invested in two new programmes designed to help ensure disadvantaged girls and young people have access to a quality education.<\/p>\n

Reflecting on his visit, Lord Ahmad said: \u201cI am grateful to the Government and people of Bangladesh for their warm welcome this week. Over the past three days, I have been inspired by the people I have met and the quality of our conversations. I was buoyed by the evident strength of feeling, and our shared ambitions for the future.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish everyone in Bangladesh the very best for your continued Golden Jubilee celebrations next month, and invite everyone to join me in looking forward to many more years of BritBanglaBondhon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the UK\u2019s Minister for South Asia, the United Nations and the Commonwealth, departed for UK on Thursday following a three-day visit to Bangladesh.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Dhaka: British Minister for South Asia, the United Nations and the Commonwealth Lord Tariq Ahmad has set out opportunities for enhanced trade and investment between UK and Bangladesh, with particular focus on service sectors in which the UK is a world-leader. Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, who is also the UK Prime Minister\u2019s Special Representative […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":73510,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[12,2],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t\n