UK pledges support to strengthen democracy as British envoy meets Fakhrul

The United Kingdom has pledged to continue providing all necessary support to further strengthen democracy in Bangladesh as British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke met LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at the Secretariat on Tuesday.

Issues including local government elections, education, investment, climate change, migration, women's empowerment, and local government were discussed during the meeting, said an official handout.

Fakhrul said his ministry along with the Election Commission is working to begin local government polls with Union Parishad elections in phases by next December.

He said Bangladesh has always regarded the United Kingdom as a close friend as a democratic nation.

Fakhrul, also ruling BNP secretary general, said his party believes in multi-party democracy and is committed to establishing democratic values.

He expressed hope that democracy in the country would get more strong footing under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

He also called upon British investors to increase their investments in Bangladesh in support of the country's economic development.

The British high commissioner praised Bangladesh's recent progress in democracy, women's empowerment, and the education sector.

She said that the UK is keen to provide the necessary assistance to help strengthen Bangladesh's democratic institutions.

She also expressed hope for further expanding the long-standing friendly relations between the two countries.

Cooke said initiatives would be taken to expand higher education opportunities in the United Kingdom for Bangladeshi students.

Meanwhile,  a delegation led by Sudhir Muralidharan, Country Manager for Bangladesh and Bhutan at the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) also met with the LGRD and cooperatives minister today.

The meeting discussed infrastructure development, project implementation, waste management, and improvements to drainage systems.

The UNOPS delegation expressed its hope to continue supporting Bangladesh's sustainable development initiatives in the future.

Director General of the Monitoring, Evaluation and Inspection Wing of LGD Division Md. Mahmudul Hasan, along with senior ministry officials, was present at the meeting.