British trade envoy to Bangladesh (Rt. Hon.) Baroness Rosie Winterton of Doncaster DBE on Tuesday said the United Kingdom (UK) is “laser-focused” on building an economic partnership with Bangladesh that will boost two-way trade and investment between the two countries.
“From being the third largest market for Bangladeshi ready-made garments to being one of the largest foreign investors in Bangladesh, the UK already has strong foundations to build on and I look forward to solidifying it even further through this visit,” she said.
Baroness Winterton’s discussions with key stakeholders will focus on the UK’s work with the interim government on vital economic reforms, the opportunities arising from the commitment to duty free, quota free access to the UK market until 2029 and identifying opportunities to strengthen trade and investment in sectors such as education, aviation, defence and renewable energy.
The UK trade envoy is visiting Dhaka to strengthen and expand the longstanding economic and trade partnership between the UK and Bangladesh.
While in Dhaka, she will be meeting key officials from the interim government of Bangladesh, political parties and business leaders.
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She will also participate in the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025. She will be joined by Harjinder Kang, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner to South Asia.
On her first visit to Bangladesh as UK Trade Envoy, Baroness Winterton will meet Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy on International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi, Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin and Education Minister Prof Dr Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar.
Her meetings will focus on how the two countries will deepen their trade and investment relationship and deliver mutually beneficial growth and job creation.
With Harjinder Kang, she will also meet key stakeholders from the business community and will deliver a keynote speech at the inauguration ceremony of the Bangladesh Investment Summit on April 9 to underscore the UK government’s growth mission.
British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke said the UK is a major economic and trading partner of Bangladesh, and this visit reiterates the UK’s commitment to boosting two-way trade and investment and supporting Bangladesh’s work on vital economic reforms.
“I am delighted to welcome the UK Trade Envoy to Bangladesh the Rt. Hon. the Baroness Winterton of Doncaster DBE in her first visit to the country in her new role,” she said.
The UK is one of the largest foreign investors in Bangladesh and this visit aims to deepen collaboration in key sectors including education, aviation, defence and renewable energy, said the High Commissioner.
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“The visit will also explore opportunities to increase the presence of UK education institutions. These projects signify major investment opportunities and reflect the UK’s commitment to Bangladesh,” she said.
Baroness Winterton of Doncaster was appointed as the United Kingdom Trade Envoy to Bangladesh in January 2025.
She plays a key role in strengthening trade and investment ties between the UK and Bangladesh.