President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday called for stronger UK cooperation in education, human resource development and technology, and increased trade and investment between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom.
He made the call when British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban.
President's Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam briefed reporters after the meeting.
The President described the UK as a “tested and trusted development partner” of Bangladesh and said Bangladeshi expatriates living in Britain have been making significant contributions to strengthening ties between the two countries and as well as their development.
He said Bangladesh, as a Commonwealth member, is working closely with the UK on the development of Commonwealth countries and various issues of mutual interest.
During the meeting, Sarah Cooke handed over a congratulatory letter from King Charles III to Mirza Fakhrul on his election as President.
The President expressed his sincere gratitude to King Charles III for the greetings and congratulatory message and urged the high commissioner to convey his best wishes to the British monarch.
He expressed hope that Bangladesh-UK relations will become stronger and more fruitful through greater cooperation in education, technology, human resource development, trade and investment, and capacity-building of democratic institutions.
Mirza Fakhrul sought increased UK support for expanding higher education opportunities for Bangladeshi students in Britain, increasing Commonwealth scholarships, developing human resources and strengthening the capacity of education- and technology-related institutions in Bangladesh.
He said Bangladesh has returned to the democratic path through a free, impartial and peaceful election.
The President stressed the importance of strengthening the capacity of democratic institutions and elected representatives to consolidate the democratic process.
Referring to the UK's long-standing experience of practising Westminster-style democracy, he emphasised regular contacts, reciprocal visits and exchanges of experience between parliamentarians of the two countries.
The British high commissioner informed the President that as many as 99.99 percent of Bangladesh's products, including ready-made garments, will enjoy duty-free market access in the UK for three more years after Bangladesh graduates from the Least Developed Countries (LDC) category.
The President described the facility as an important opportunity to further expand trade relations between the two countries.
Sarah Cooke also briefed the President on an initiative to exchange digital climate data between Bangladesh and the UK.
Mirza Fakhrul welcomed the initiative, saying the exchange of weather and climate-related data will help improve the accuracy of weather forecasts and contribute to increasing agricultural production.
The secretary to the President's Office, President’s press secretary, the British deputy high commissioner and development director, and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant offices were present.