Bangladesh's graduation from the LDC would be a "milestone not a finishing line", British High Commission in Dhaka Robert Chatterton Dickson has said.
"We are supporting Bangladesh achieve a smooth and successful graduation and continue its export-led growth by providing duty-free, quota free access to the UK market until 2029," he said while talking at the 'Meet the Reporters' programme of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) on Sunday. DRU President Nazrul Islam Mithu and General Secretary Nurul Islam Hasib also spoke.
"We are Bangladesh’s second largest investor, and we will continue to work with Bangladesh to deliver free and fair trade by improving the functioning of the WTO and modernising global trade rules," the envoy said.
This month marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the UK and Bangladesh, following Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's historic press conference at Claridges’ Hotel, his meeting with PM Edward Heath and his return to a newly liberated Bangladesh by the Royal Air Force on January 10, 1972.
In the intervening half century the relationship has been transformed, he said.
"In the 50th year of Brit Bangla Bondhon, we are building on all the links that exist between Bangladesh and the UK, including the diaspora, the 600,000 people living in the UK with Bangladeshi heritage, and the much wider range of links that exist between us on security, defence, climate, COVID-19, trade, and a whole range of issues on which we work very closely with friends and partners in and beyond government in Bangladesh."
The High Commissioner also spoke on the general election and said the next national election in Bangladesh is "very important" as the country is graduating from the LDC
“There’s ample capacity in Bangladesh to run a free and fair election,” he said, reiterating that election needs to be “Bangladesh-led” and it is not for Bangladesh’s friends to say how this process should run.
Highlighting the importance of a credible Election Commission, he said it will be easier for everybody to have a “productive friendship” with Bangladesh if the election is carried out in a way which is “free, fair and credible.”
The High Commissioner appreciated the milestones such as the Election Commission formation process and laid emphasis on strong commitments from all parties on a “free and fair” process.
The High Commissioner said they are supporting the COVID-19 pandemic response in Bangladesh and provided 4.1 million vaccines under Covax in December last year. "We hope to provide more soon.”
The High Commissioner also talked about Bangladesh-UK flourishing defence relations, human rights issues, trade and investment and climate partnership and media freedom.
“We’ll continue to exchange expertise, share technology, facilitate partnerships, and identify practical solutions to common climate challenges, with the shared aim of producing the real change we need to keep the rise in global temperatures below 1.5 degrees,” he said.
"As Bangladesh prospers we hope to see the market becoming more open to international investment, especially for the high value financial, education and health services in which the UK leads the world.
"I see a particular opportunity for universities if the Cross Border Higher Education Rules can be implemented. UK universities are interested in the opportunity in Bangladesh, and would like to establish the sort of presence they have in Sri Lanka or Malaysia.
"This would give young Bangladeshis access to a world class education at a competitive price. And it would give Bangladesh the skills which will be needed to thrive as a middle income country," he said.
The High Commissioner also spoke on Rohingya crisis and said: "We’re also working together on regional security, including the Rohingya crisis. Our shared aim is to see voluntary, safe and dignified repatriation for the Rohingya as soon as conditions in Myanmar allow."
"Bangladesh continues to be extraordinarily generous in its response. The refugees have access to healthcare, food, shelter and water and sanitation.
We have seen generosity in the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines for refugees. However, despite progress, the situation remains challenging both for the Rohingyas, especially for women, and for their hosts in Bangladesh."
The UK is the leading donor to the international response to the Rohingya refugee crisis having contributed over £320m since 2017 to support both refugees in the camps and host communities including in building resilience against COVID-19.
"At the same time, the Rohingya crisis is a tragedy for all involved. No one chooses to live in a refugee camp, or to host a large influx of displaced people. As with so many other refugees worldwide, the great majority of the Rohingya population say they want to return home," he said.
"We are ensuring the Rohingyas and Bangladesh are not forgotten. We raise the plight of the Rohingya on the international stage, including in the UN Security Council. As a new Dialogue Partner of ASEAN we support the efforts of the ASEAN Special Envoy."
