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UK Trade Envoy Aims to Strengthen Economic Ties with Bangladesh
The British trade envoy to Bangladesh, (Rt. Hon.) Baroness Rosie Winterton of Doncaster DBE, emphasized on Tuesday that the United Kingdom (UK) is "laser-focused" on cultivating a robust economic partnership with Bangladesh, aimed at expanding trade and investment between the two nations.
"With the UK being the third-largest market for Bangladesh’s ready-made garments and one of the largest foreign investors in the country, we already have a strong foundation. I am eager to build on that and further solidify our ties during this visit," she stated.
Baroness Winterton’s visit centers on key discussions with stakeholders, where the focus will be on supporting vital economic reforms with the interim government, leveraging Bangladesh’s duty-free, quota-free access to the UK market until 2029, and exploring avenues to boost trade and investment in sectors like education, aviation, defence, and renewable energy.
As part of her visit to Dhaka, the trade envoy aims to strengthen and broaden the longstanding trade and economic relationship between the UK and Bangladesh. Throughout her stay, she will meet with influential figures from Bangladesh’s interim government, political parties, and the business community.
Baroness Winterton is also scheduled to participate in the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025, accompanied by Harjinder Kang, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner to South Asia.
During her first visit to Bangladesh in her role as UK Trade Envoy, Baroness Winterton will hold talks with prominent leaders, including Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, Special Envoy on International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi, Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin, and Education Minister Prof Dr. Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar. The discussions will focus on deepening the two countries’ trade and investment ties, while fostering growth and job creation.
Along with Harjinder Kang, she will engage with key stakeholders from Bangladesh’s business community and deliver a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Bangladesh Investment Summit on April 9, highlighting the UK’s commitment to global growth.
British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Sarah Cooke, underscored the significance of the visit, stating that the UK remains one of Bangladesh’s most important economic and trading partners. She noted that this visit reinforces the UK’s commitment to enhancing two-way trade and investment, as well as supporting Bangladesh in implementing essential economic reforms.
"I am thrilled to welcome Baroness Winterton to Bangladesh on her first visit in this role, and we look forward to further advancing our bilateral partnership," said High Commissioner Cooke.
The UK is already one of the largest foreign investors in Bangladesh, and this visit aims to deepen collaboration in key areas, including education, aviation, defence, and renewable energy. Cooke also highlighted the potential to increase the presence of UK educational institutions in Bangladesh, opening doors to new investment opportunities.
Baroness Winterton, appointed as the UK Trade Envoy to Bangladesh in January 2025, is spearheading efforts to strengthen the trade and investment relationship between the two countries.