UK envoy Rushanara aims to boost Bangladesh trade ties

"It’s a great place to start," Rushanara told the UNB in an interview on her first visit to Dhaka in her new role. "Bangladesh is a very innovative, creative and dynamic nation (and) I’m very interested in learning about what’s happening here. We can learn many things." The Labour MP for Bethnal Green and Bow in east London says she is keen to ensure a continuous and strong partnership between Britain and Bangladesh to promote further development and tackle the threat of climate change. "Economic development, social development and challenges around climate change are really important. I’m thinking of these three," said Rushanara, who currently serves as a member of the UK Parliamentary Select Committee for Energy and Climate Change. The cross-party Trade Envoy programme was established in 2012 to build bilateral trade relationships and help drive economic growth in countries identified as key markets for the UK. Before her visit, Rushanara said Bangladesh highlighted the "exciting opportunities" for British companies in Bangladesh and said the UK was keen to deepen trade ties. The UK is the largest foreign investor in Bangladesh and third single largest destination for Bangladeshi exports, while there are over 240 British companies operating in the country. "You have to have good infrastructure. That will make a massive difference," the envoy said, adding that Bangladesh was well-placed strategically in terms of markets but that proper measures were needed so things could move "efficiently and effectively" and barriers to investors are removed. The British trade envoy said Bangladesh is well-placed to showcase the improvement that has been made in terms of safety and standard in the readymade garment (RMG) sector after the Rana Plaza disaster. “You have to have safe conditions for employees; it’s so important,” she said. Before leaving Dhaka on Thursday, Rushanara will meet Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, and opposition leaders to discuss mutual prosperity goals. "I am very much looking forward to working with Bangladesh and our government to make sure that our countries benefit from stronger trade relations," Rushanara said.