StanChart, UKEF seek to deepen UK-Bangladesh trade corridor

Standard Chartered Bangladesh and UK Export Finance (UKEF) have explored ways to accelerate the Bangladesh-UK trade corridor and support the country's export diversification agenda through trade finance and export credit.

The two organisations held a high-level roundtable here, bringing together senior representatives from Standard Chartered Bangladesh, British High Commission Dhaka, UKEF and leading companies from the pharmaceuticals, light engineering, agribusiness, seafood and footwear industries, said a press release.

The discussions focused on practical use cases for UKEF-backed financing in Bangladesh, structuring export credit facilities and aligning project pipelines with development priorities, including infrastructure, sustainability and industrial upgrading.

Standard Chartered Bangladesh CEO Enamul Huque said the bank had been a partner in Bangladesh's growth story for over 120 years and that deepening trade and investment ties with strategic partners such as the United Kingdom would be critical as the country advances towards its next phase of development.

"Through today's roundtable, we are reinforcing our commitment to connect Bangladesh with the world and the world with Bangladesh," he said.

Huque said working closely with UKEF could help bring UK expertise, technology and capital to clients in Bangladesh.

The roundtable also provided an opportunity for UKEF representatives to hear directly from government and business leaders and explore where UK companies, expertise and finance could support innovation, growth and development.

Standard Chartered, with its longstanding presence and expertise in Bangladesh, seeks to be UKEF's leading partner in connecting Bangladeshi corporates, financial institutions and public-sector entities with UK suppliers, technology and capital, according to the discussion.