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The United Kingdom on Tuesday reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Bangladesh in strengthening its democratic institutions, with both sides highlighting the importance of closer cooperation in areas including local government, education, investment, climate change, migration and women’s empowerment.
The issues came up during a courtesy meeting between Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke at the Secretariat.
At the meeting, Mirza Fakhrul said the government, in coordination with the Election Commission, is working to begin Union Parishad elections in phases by December this year.
Describing the UK as one of Bangladesh’s close friends, the adviser said Bangladesh remains committed to democratic values and strengthening democratic institutions.
He expressed optimism that democracy would be further consolidated under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and invited British investors to increase investment in Bangladesh to support the country’s economic development.
British envoy Sarah Cooke praised Bangladesh’s recent progress in democracy, women’s empowerment and education, and reiterated the UK’s willingness to continue supporting efforts to strengthen democratic institutions.
She expressed hope that the long-standing bilateral relationship between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom would continue to expand.
The British High Commissioner also said initiatives would be taken to expand higher education opportunities in the UK for Bangladeshi students.
Meanwhile, LGRD Minister Mirza Fakhrul islam Alamgir held a separate meeting with a delegation from the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), led by its Country Manager for Bangladesh and Bhutan, Sudhir Muralidharan.
The two sides discussed cooperation in infrastructure development, project implementation, waste management and drainage improvement. The UNOPS delegation expressed its commitment to continuing support for Bangladesh’s sustainable development initiatives.
Director General (Monitoring, Evaluation and Inspection) Md Mahmudul Hasan, NDC, and senior officials of the ministry were also present at the meetings.
