UK Minister Lord Tariq Ahmad on Monday highlighted the importance of UK-Bangladesh ties in terms of trade, education, climate change.
“We must work together so that economic development does not come at the cost of the planet. It is now the time to act now, not tomorrow,” he said.
Addressing a talk titled “Bangladesh-UK: Partners in Progress” at the Foreign Service Academy he also hoped that the coming general election will be inclusive and transparent.
“The country has shown sustainability of democracy but there is an opportunity to go even further.”
The UK Minister also announced that the UK would invest up to £54 million for education in Bangladesh. The funding will be used for two new programmes which will help ensure disadvantaged girls and young people have access to quality education.
He assured that the UK will continue to stand with Bangladesh in urgently finding a solution to the Rohingya crisis, stressing the need for accountability as well as repatriation.
“We will not let this matter drop.”
“As Bangladesh approaches its next election period, the constitution emphasises both transparency and due process of its law-abiding right to everyone,” he said.
Lord Tariq arrived in Dhaka on Monday to attend the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) ministerial meeting on November 17.
He lauded Bangladesh’s socio-economic development and assured that the two countries will continue to forge partnerships to uphold and improve development and human rights both here and in the UK and beyond.
“We stand with those who promote respect and tolerance between communities…I do hope and believe that… inshallah the citizens of Bangladesh will have an open and vigorous debate about the country’s directions,” said Ahmad, Minister of State for South Asia, UN and the Commonwealth.
The UK minister also highlighted the scope of collaboration between the two countries through which the students of Bangladesh can be benefitted in securing higher education from the famous educational institutions of the UK.
He said inclusive politics is essential for every country’s prospect – something that Bangladesh’s Father of the Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman knew very well.
“Bangladesh has today built something quite remarkable. Yet, no country progresses by sitting on its laurels. There is an opportunity for this great nation to go even further.”
In his remarks, Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen appreciated UK's role as a permanent member of the UN in addressing the Rohingya issue.
