The UK, along with its international partners, supports the pluralistic and transparent democracy in Bangladesh - as provided in the Constitution. The country also calls for a fair and credible process for the national election here -- due at the end of 2023, said British High Commissioner in Dhaka Robert Chatterton Dickson on Sunday.
He said holding of free, fair and credible election is important to attract investment in the country.
The process includes allowing all parties to organise and be heard in advance of the election, so that there is a real debate about the country's future, he mentioned.
Mr Dickson was speaking at the DRU Talks, organised by the Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) in the city.
"Secondly, it means everyone can cast his or her vote freely. Thirdly, it means the votes being counted reliably and transparently. Finally, it means credible results being accepted by all parties, including those who did not win."
"More broadly, our view is that long-term stability and economic growth flourish best in open and democratic societies with strong institutions, public accountability, and competitive elections."
According to the British envoy, milestones, such as - the Election Commission (EC) formation process, send a signal on the trajectory of this administration.
Strong commitments from all parties on a free and fair process would help set the tone, including an inclusive and non-partisan EC, for the contest due next year, he added.
"The strongest, safest and most prosperous societies are those in which everyone can live freely, without fear of violence or discrimination, and where all citizens can play a full and active part."
Mr Dickson pointed out that the graduation from LDC status is a milestone, but not a finishing line.
The UK is supporting Bangladesh to achieve a smooth and successful graduation as well as continue its export-led growth by providing duty-free, quota-free access to the UK market until 2029.
"We are Bangladesh's second largest investor, and we will continue to work with Bangladesh to deliver free and fair trade by improving functioning of the WTO and modernising global trade rules."
The UK-Bangladesh Trade and Investment Dialogue, held last year, addressed tackling market access barriers to improve the business environment as well as promote free and fair trade between the two countries, and help the UK-based companies realise the potentials of Bangladesh's impressive economic growth, the envoy noted.
The UK hopes to see the Bangladesh market becoming more open to international investment, especially to high-value financial, education, and health services.
Mr Dickson mentioned that the UK leads the world in these sectors, and also prescribed 'cross-border higher education rules'.
The UK-based universities are interested in exploring the opportunities in Bangladesh, and would like to establish the sort of presence that they have in Sri Lanka or Malaysia.
The envoy also highlighted the British policy on the Indo-Pacific strategy, saying Britain does this in line with its global strategy.
"Last year, we published an integrated review of our foreign policy after leaving the European Union. A key element is what we call an Indo-Pacific Tilt - a rebalancing of our policy, in which Bangladesh plays an important role."
The Indo-Pacific is the fastest-growing economic region in the world, a crucial transit point for global trade. The UK has Europe's broadest and most integrated regional presence - in support of stronger trading links, shared security priorities, and shared values.
He noted that 2021 was a good year for the UK-Bangladesh defence relations, as a Royal Navy ship sailed to Chattogram after 13 years as part of Britain's Carrier Strike Group deployment in the Indo-Pacific region.
"The visit highlighted our bilateral defence connections, taken forward again this week by strategic-level training, being provided by the UK to the Bangladesh National Defence College."
The UK is looking forward to talks soon to put this relationship on a more strategic basis, he pointed out.
On Rohingya issue, the envoy said Britain is working together on regional security issue, including the Rohingya crisis. Its shared aim is to see voluntary, safe, and dignified repatriation of the Rohingyas 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".
The UK is the leading donor in the international response programmes to handle the Rohingya refugee crisis, having contributed over £320m since 2017 to support both refugees in camps and host communities, including in building their resilience against the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We are ensuring that the Rohingyas and Bangladesh are not forgotten. We raise the plight of the Rohingyas on the international stage, including in the UN Security Council. As a new dialogue partner of the ASEAN, we support efforts of the ASEAN special envoy."
Mr Dickson further said the UK is supporting the COVID-19 pandemic response in Bangladesh.
"Last December, we provided 4.1 million vaccines under Covax. We hope to provide more soon," he added.
DRU President Nazrul Islam Mithu and Secretary Nurul Islam Hasib also spoke on the occasion.
