President calls for stronger B'desh-UK ties

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for stronger cooperation between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom in education, human resource development and technology, alongside greater trade and investment between the two countries.

He made the call when British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cook paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban on Monday (September 14).

The President described the UK as a “tested and trusted development partner” of Bangladesh and highlighted the important contribution of Bangladeshi expatriates living in Britain to strengthening bilateral ties and the development of both countries.

During the meeting, Sarah Cook handed over a congratulatory letter from British King Charles III to the President on his election. Mirza Fakhrul expressed his gratitude to the King and conveyed his best wishes to him through the British envoy.

The President sought greater UK support for expanding higher education opportunities for Bangladeshi students, increasing Commonwealth scholarships, developing human resources and strengthening the capacity of Bangladesh’s education and technology institutions.

The British High Commissioner informed the President that after Bangladesh graduates from the LDC category, 99.99 per cent of Bangladeshi products, including ready-made garments, will continue to enjoy duty-free access to the UK market for another three years.