The UK-Bangladesh Bond has Never been stronger

“We have a strong working relationship with Bangladesh and shared interests globally and domestically,” explains British High Commissioner to Bangladesh based in Dhaka, Mr Robert Gibson.

Britain is a close partner, not least on the commercial front. “The UK is the largest investor in Bangladesh with a cumulative total of approximately £2 billion at the moment. There are over 50 British companies operating throughout the country,” says Mr Gibson.

Encouraging private investments benefits economic and social development and increases employment. “The benefit for a company operating here is the large workforce. Bangladesh is a huge exporter of labour around the world. Inside Bangladesh there is a large workforce available for companies,” adds the High Commissioner.

"WE ENJOY A SHARED VISION IN GLOBAL AFFAIRS." ROBERT GIBSON, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh

The UK has the largest bilateral grant aid programme in Bangladesh, aimed at helping over 15 million people living in poverty. The aim is to assist the poor with improved education, better family planning and the development of technical skills among employment seekers. “Through its education programme, the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) hopes to ensure there is virtually 100 per cent primary education across the country and that the majority of children stay in education and that this is of good quality,” adds Mr Gibson. “We enjoy a shared vision in global affairs, and one of the areas where we cooperate is climate change.”

Undoubtedly, the strongest bond that exists between Bangladesh and the UK is the people-to-people connection. Personal and family ties stretch across and beyond borders in such a way that a fusion of cultures could be said to have taken place. The UK is home to an estimated half million nationals of Bangladeshi descent, and is the firm choice of destination for studying abroad, while Bangladeshi culinary tastes now form part of the British palate. There is even the mutual passion for cricket! So, for a multitude of reasons, the strong bond between Bangladesh and the UK promises to be a long-term relationship.

“Forty years after independence, Bangladesh is rapidly emerging on the global stage. This is a country with enormous potential and opportunities. The biggest treasure is undoubtedly the people – they are dynamic, resourceful and full of aspiration,” concludes Mr Gibson.