UK to help Bangladesh deliver reforms crucial to attracting investment

British High Commissioner in Dhaka Alison Blake on Tuesday said the United Kingdom (UK) will continue to work jointly with relevant agencies here to help deliver the reforms crucial for Bangladesh to attract the investment it needs. "We agree that infrastructure is important," she said, mentioning the impact of infrastructure weaknesses they hear from investors. The British High Commissioner also talked about the role of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and others in the government, for attracting more investors to Bangladesh and vowed to work together with them. High Commissioner Blake was addressing a program at the National Press Club in Dhaka organized by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB), under its flagship event, 'DCABtalk.' DCAB President Rezaul Karim Lotus, and General Secretary Mahfuz Mishu, also spoke at the occasion. Congratulating Bangladesh on meeting the criteria for graduation from the status of LDC, the High Commissioner said a central and challenging transformation is educating and improving the skills of the Bangladeshi labour force. "Our aim is to bring the British trade and private sector development, and investment, the engine for sustained economic growth, here in Bangladesh as well as the UK," said the diplomat. She laid emphasis on diversifying the economy, expanding manufacturing capacity, and creating good, higher value jobs. On investment flow, the High Commissioner said it is important to make sure the investment of investors is safe and Bangladesh is a stable place to invest. High Commissioner Blake said the UK is not just the third largest single market for Bangladeshi exports in the world, but also the second largest source of foreign direct investment in Bangladesh with over 250 British firms registered here. "We are a key and dependable partner in Bangladesh's journey to middle income status and beyond," she said. The High Commissioner said the UK, together with the recently re-launched British Business Group (BBG), will be encouraging companies who are not yet here to understand the opportunities available in Bangladesh.