UK trade envoy in Dhaka for 5-day official visit

The United Kingdom’s Trade Envoy to Bangladesh, The Rt Hon. Baroness Rosie Winterton of Doncaster DBE, arrived in Dhaka on Sunday (October 5) for a five-day official visit aimed at strengthening trade, investment, and economic cooperation between the two countries.

The British High Commission confirmed her arrival on Sunday and said she will meet with key figures including Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin, Education Adviser Professor Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar, and Special Envoy for International Affairs Lutfe Siddiqui. Discussions are expected to focus on economic reforms, trade partnerships, and investment opportunities.

Baroness Winterton is also scheduled to meet leaders of Bangladesh’s major political parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizens Party (NCP), reaffirming the UK’s commitment as a long-term development partner.

During her stay in Dhaka and Chittagong, she will meet representatives from the aviation, higher education, renewable energy, and defense sectors. In Chittagong, she will visit UK-linked investment projects that are creating jobs, strengthening supply chains, and contributing to economic growth in both countries.

The visit will also highlight the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme, which grants Bangladesh duty-free access to the UK market until 2029, supporting the country’s export competitiveness as it transitions out of LDC status.

Baroness Winterton will also meet with British International Investment, the UK’s development finance institution, and their local partners to discuss green financing and sustainable infrastructure projects.

“The UK and Bangladesh share a dynamic and growing economic partnership. I am here to reaffirm our commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s development journey and explore new trade and investment opportunities for mutual benefit,” Baroness Winterton said. She added that she was eager to see UK-supported investments first-hand, which are delivering jobs, strengthening supply chains, and creating real economic value for both nations.

British High Commissioner Sarah Cook noted that this marks the Trade Envoy’s second visit to Bangladesh within six months, reflecting the UK’s strong commitment to Bangladesh’s economic reforms and long-term growth. “The UK-Bangladesh trade partnership is becoming increasingly robust, and we are keen to strengthen this relationship further for mutual prosperity,” she said.