Bangladesh and the United Kingdom have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in public-private partnerships (PPP), reinforcing their shared commitment to boosting investment and sustainable infrastructure development in the aviation sector.
The MoU was signed by Ashik Chowdhury, Chief Executive Officer of the PPP Authority of Bangladesh, and British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke in Dhaka on Tuesday.
The signing ceremony was attended by UK Trade Envoy Baroness Rosie Winterton, who is visiting Dhaka this week to reinforce and expand the longstanding UK-Bangladesh trade and economic partnership.
The agreement focuses on investment facilitation, knowledge exchange, capacity building, and increased private sector participation in the aviation sector.
‘UK, Bangladesh close economic partners’
Speaking at the event, Baroness Winterton said, “The UK and Bangladesh are close economic partners. This MoU demonstrates our shared ambition to develop an aviation sector that underpins trade, tourism, and economic growth.”
“The MoU provides a platform for investment and job creation that will benefit both our countries. I look forward to seeing today’s agreement translate into real progress on the ground,” she added.
British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke said, “As one of the largest investors in Bangladesh, the UK is a reliable, long-term economic partner. Today’s MoU reflects our shared commitment to strengthen that partnership to drive mutually beneficial trade, investment and economic growth.”
State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat said he was pleased to witness the MoU, expressing confidence that it would further strengthen partnership and business ties between the two countries.
PPP Authority CEO Ashik Chowdhury said, “This MoU is an important step forward. The UK is one of Bangladesh’s largest investors, but we have not seen a major new UK investor enter the market in recent years. This sends a clear signal that Bangladesh is open for business and ready for a new generation of investments.”
Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir said Bangladesh is open for business to the world and committed to further strengthening its relationship with the UK.
Senior officials, including State Minister M Rasheduzzaman Millat, Director of Trade and Investment Sakib Ershad, and Deputy Director of Trade and Investment Saiyab Ahmed, were present at the ceremony.
