Bangladesh and the United Kingdom have reinforced their economic partnership through high-level discussions on trade and investment, focusing on key sectors such as education, aviation, and renewable energy.
During a series of meetings in London from March 10-13, UK Investment Minister Baroness Gustafsson of Chesterton CBE and Ashik Chowdhury, executive chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), explored ways to expand foreign direct investment (FDI) and strengthen bilateral business ties, according to a press release.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star’s Google News channel. Chowdhury met senior UK officials, business leaders, and non-resident Bangladeshis, highlighting the strategic importance of deepening economic cooperation.
“This visit reaffirms the strong and long-standing economic partnership between Bangladesh and the UK. Our discussions focused on expanding investment in both services and manufacturing sectors,” he said.
He said that the UK’s continued support for improving Bangladesh’s investment climate was evident in engagements with government officials and business leaders.
Meetings with representatives from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) underscored a shared commitment to collaborating on industrial development, advanced technology, and infrastructure projects.
Strengthening partnerships with leading UK firms and institutions was another key focus. Chowdhury met top executives from HSBC, Airbus, Dewhirst Group, and Menzies to showcase Bangladesh’s investment potential and explore collaborations in finance, manufacturing, and technology.
The press release also mentioned the discussions highlighted Bangladesh’s rapid economic growth, strategic location, and emerging role as a regional production hub in the Indo-Pacific.
In addition to business engagements, Chowdhury emphasised Bangladesh’s commitment to advancing higher education. Discussions at the University of London and the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) centred on fostering academic partnerships, enhancing research collaboration, and empowering youth through various initiatives.
These efforts aim to build a strong educational framework to support long-term economic growth and technological advancement.
The UK remains a key strategic partner for Bangladesh and is currently the top source of FDI, with an FDI stock of $2.9 billion as of FY 2023-24.
