President seeks increased UK cooperation in education, technology

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for increased UK cooperation in Bangladesh's education, human resource development and technology sectors, and for further strengthening trade and investment between the two countries.

He made the call when British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban on Monday, September 14.

The President said the United Kingdom is a tested and trusted development partner of Bangladesh. Expatriate Bangladeshis living in Britain are making immense contributions to strengthening and developing the ties between Britain and Bangladesh. Alongside bilateral relations, as a Commonwealth member state, Bangladesh is working closely with the UK on various issues of development and common interest among Commonwealth countries.

At the time, Sarah Cooke handed over a congratulatory letter from UK's King Charles III to President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on his election as President. The President expressed sincere gratitude to King Charles III for the greetings and congratulatory letter and requested the British High Commissioner to convey his greetings to the King.

The President expressed hope that Bangladesh-UK relations will become stronger and more fruitful in the coming days through expanded cooperation in various fields, including education, technology, human resource development, trade and investment, and capacity building of democratic institutions.

The President sought UK cooperation in further expanding opportunities for Bangladeshi students to pursue higher education in the UK, increasing Commonwealth scholarships, developing the country's human resources and building the capacity of education and technology-related institutions.

The President further said Bangladesh has returned to the democratic path through a free, fair and peaceful election. He emphasised increasing the capacity of democratic institutions and public representatives to further strengthen this trend.

Referring to the UK's long experience in Westminster-style democratic practice, the President stressed regular communication, mutual visits and exchange of experience between parliamentarians of the two countries.

The High Commissioner said nearly 99.99 percent of Bangladeshi products, including readymade garments, will continue to enjoy duty-free quota-free access to the UK market for another three years after Bangladesh's graduation from LDC status. The President described this facility as an important opportunity to further expand trade relations between the two countries.

The British High Commissioner also informed the President about the initiative for digital climate data exchange between Bangladesh and the UK. The President expressed satisfaction that this initiative will play an effective role in making weather forecasts more accurate and increasing agricultural production through the exchange of weather and climate-related information between the two countries.

Secretary of the President's Office, Press Secretary, British Deputy High Commissioner and Development Director, and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and related departments were present during the meeting.