Dhaka: The UK Trade Envoy to Bangladesh, Baroness Winterton of Doncaster DBE, highlighted the robust and historic partnership between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom (UK) as both nations continue to benefit from expanding trade and investment ties. In a statement released on Monday, she expressed her eagerness to engage with government leaders, businesses, and entrepreneurs to explore new opportunities that foster economic growth and prosperity for both countries.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Trade Envoy Baroness Winterton is currently visiting Dhaka to strengthen and expand the long-established and mutually beneficial UK-Bangladesh trade and economic partnership. Her visit marks her third trip to Bangladesh, coinciding with the recent formation of the country’s new elected government in February. She arrived in Dhaka on Sunday, underscoring the UK’s commitment to assisting Bangladesh in its transition toward a diversified, resilient, and high-value economy.
The British High Commission in Dhaka emphasized that Baroness Winterton’s visit highlights the UK’s dedication to deepening cooperation in various sectors, including trade, economic development, higher education, aviation, and defense. During her stay, she will hold discussions with senior ministers, government and military officials to explore shared priorities for mutually beneficial growth and reiterate the UK’s role as a reliable and long-term economic partner for Bangladesh.
Baroness Winterton is also set to meet with business leaders, including representatives from UK companies operating in Bangladesh, to explore possibilities for enhancing bilateral trade and investment and strengthening commercial ties. Furthermore, she will visit Bangladeshi businesses that export to the UK through the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), one of the world’s most generous trade preference programs.
The DCTS is designed to support developing countries like Bangladesh by offering duty-free market access for a wide range of products. It simplifies rules of origin to facilitate exporter qualification, encourages export diversification beyond garments, and promotes sustainable economic development through job creation. Bangladesh is the largest beneficiary of duty-free access under the DCTS, supplying high-quality goods to British consumers at competitive prices and supporting jobs in Bangladesh.
Sarah Cooke, the British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, stated that shared growth and prosperity are central to the UK-Bangladesh relationship. She noted that Baroness Winterton’s third visit within a year reflects the seriousness with which the UK regards this commitment. “This visit will further solidify our partnership as Bangladesh enters an exciting new chapter,” Cooke added.
The UK continues to be one of Bangladesh’s largest export markets and a leading development and investment partner.