UK-Bangladesh cooperation is set to increase efforts in priority areas, including migration, economic reform, and security. UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific Anne-Marie Trevelyan will arrive in Bangladesh on Tuesday morning for a two-day visit.
On her second visit to Bangladesh as the Indo-Pacific minister, she will reaffirm the UK's commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries, said a press release issued on Monday.
Trevelyan will meet Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud during her visit to Dhaka.
Discussions are expected to focus on UK-Bangladesh migration cooperation, trade and economic ties, and UK's support to the Rohingya refugee response.
The minister will also meet with business leaders, humanitarian actors, climate experts, civil society organisations, and political leaders. She will recognise the importance of democracy and human rights as foundations for long-term growth and prosperity, adds the release.
Trevelyan will also announce the new UK support for equipping and empowering youth and vulnerable groups in Bangladesh to engage in climate action.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan said, "I am pleased to be back in Bangladesh with our new trade policy project, marking an important step forward towards closer UK-Bangladesh collaboration, boosting our economic ties."
"We remain steadfast in our support for the Rohingya in Myanmar and Bangladesh, and will provide 12 million pounds of new humanitarian assistance, to increase access to clean water, healthcare, shelter, and protection services for Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh," she added.
British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke said that she is delighted to welcome UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific Anne-Marie Trevelyan to Bangladesh and added, "The UK's long-standing friendship with Bangladesh is cemented by the deep cultural and people-to-people link between our two countries."
"The UK-Bangladesh partnership continues to go from strength to strength. From our joint work to tackle economic challenges, to our steadfast support for the Rohingya, and our partnership on climate change, we are determined to do more together," he added.
Reaffirming the UK's sustained support for the Rohingyas, Trevelyan will announce 12 million pounds (over Tk 163 crore) of new UK humanitarian assistance to support Rohingya refugees and neighbouring host communities in Bangladesh. The new funding will provide clean water, healthcare, shelter and protection services. It will also support the development of the camp's infrastructure to help protect it from natural disasters, the release added.
Trevelyan will also announce a new trade policy project with the Government of Bangladesh. The UK will provide technical assistance to Bangladesh to strengthen its trade policy capability and implement reforms. The project will support Bangladesh in tackling economic challenges and successfully graduating from Least Developed Country status in 2026.
