Outgoing British High
Commissioner to Bangladesh Anwar Choudhury today
paid a farewell call on President Professor Dr
Iajuddin Ahmed at Bangabhaban here today.
During the meeting, the President expressed his
satisfaction over the present bilateral relation
between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom (UK),
and thanked the outgoing UK envoy for his
outstanding performance for further developing
and strengthening the ties.
Prof Iajuddin said Bangladesh attaches great
importance to its relation with the UK and
considers it as a dependable trade,
development and strategic partner.
He said trade, investment and economic
relations between the two counties have
expanded over the years as the UK at present
is the third largest destination for the
Bangladesh's export with an annual growth of
15 percent.
The President also appreciated the role of
the UK for duty and quota-free access of
Bangladeshi goods to the European Union
market and hoped that the UK government
continued its support for the LDC-friendly
Rules of Origin.
Dr Iajuddin also praised the British
government's development cooperation in
various areas of Bangladesh through the DFID.
He said the government has undertaken steps
for building electoral and other
institutions, preparing the voter list and
taking preparations for holding the general
election as per the roadmap announced by the
Election Commission.
The British envoy thanked the President and
the government for extending cooperation to
him in discharging duties during his office
in Bangladesh.
He also expressed his satisfaction over the
various reform programmes undertaken by the
present government to strengthen democracy
and curb corruption, and hoped that the next
general election would be held by December
this year.
Anwar Choudhury informed the President that
a number of senior British ministers are
expected to visit Bangladesh before the next
general election. He said Bangladesh has
huge potentials and hoped that it would
achieve its expected development soon.
Military Secretary to the President Major
General Mohd Aminul Karim, Secretary of the
President's Office Md Sirajul Islam and
Press Secretary to the President Abdul Awal
Howlader were present.
