Dhaka: British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Alison Blake has emphasised that Bangladesh and the UK work together in tackling shared threats and creating more inclusive communities.

She said: ‘Our friendship has breadth and depth as we work together in several areas, including deepening our prosperity links, tackling shared threats and creating more inclusive communities,’

The British High Commissioner was addressing a reception marking the celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday at her residence on Wednesday evening.
Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal also spoke on the occasion, reports UNB.

Blake said she looks forward to making the Bangladesh-UK bonds even stronger in the years to come.

‘At the very core of our friendship are our unique people-to-people ties… the UK has a 500,000 strong Bangladeshi heritage community and I was privileged to visit Sylhet within the first month of my arrival—ancestral home to many British nationals with links to Bangladesh,’ she said.

The UK is the largest bilateral grant donor to Bangladesh and over the past five years, the country has helped lift 1.5 million people out of extreme poverty; provided clean drinking water for 1.3 million people.

‘I’m proud that we’re the largest cumulative investor in Bangladesh with over £1.3 billion of investment in the country. Over 100 UK companies are operating successfully in Bangladesh,’ the High Commissioner said.

She mentioned that the UK is the third single largest destination for exports from Bangladesh with garments and seafood accounting for the bulk of total sales to the UK.

‘There was further good news for our friendship recently; on the occasion of the Bengali New Year, ‘Pahela Baishakh’, the British Prime Minister David Cameron announced the appointment of Rushanara Ali MP as his Trade Envoy for Bangladesh,’ Blake said.

As Bangladesh grows and diversifies its economy, she said, Ali will play a pivotal role in building on these ties to raise awareness of and further enhance the collaboration between the UK and Bangladeshi businesses.

She thanked all for joining her in thanking the Queen for her unique dedication, commitment and service.

The British diplomat said this is also an occasion to mark the strong friendship between the UK and Bangladesh, a friendship that has grown during Queen’s reign.

 ‘Helping Bangladesh to meet her aspirations to build a brighter future for all her people remains one of our mutual goals,’ she added.

Ministers, business leaders, diplomats, senior journalists and civil society representatives were present.