The United Kingdom’s Trade Envoy to Bangladesh, Baroness Winterton of Doncaster DBE, has arrived in Dhaka on a five-day official visit to boost the trade and investment relations between the two countries.
Her visit takes place at a crucial moment when Bangladesh prepares for a national election in February 2026 and approaches graduation from LDC (least developed country) status in November the same year.
The mission also seeks to reaffirm the UK support for Bangladesh’s economic reform agenda and promote two-way trade and investment for shared prosperity, according to a press release issued on Sunday.
During her stay in Dhaka, Baroness Winterton will hold meetings with key figures of Bangladesh’s interim government, including Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin, Education Adviser Professor Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar, and Special Envoy on International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi, it read.
It further said the discussions will focus on the UK-Bangladesh collaboration in areas such as economic reform, trade expansion, and investment opportunities.
The UK trade envoy will also meet with leaders of major political parties, including Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, and National Citizen Party (NCP), to underline the UK’s long-term commitment as a strategic growth partner, it added.
As part of her itinerary in Dhaka and Chattogram, she will engage with representatives from key industries – aviation, higher education, renewable energy, and defence, the statement stated.
In Chattogram, Baroness Winterton will observe UK-linked projects that are fostering employment, strengthening supply chains, and contributing to economic growth in both nations.
Her engagements will also highlight the role of the UK’s developing countries trading scheme (DCTS) – a preferential trade framework that grants duty-free access for Bangladeshi exports to the UK market until 2029, the release mentioned.
This initiative is designed to maintain Bangladesh’s export competitiveness during and beyond its LDC graduation.
The visit further includes sessions with British International Investment (BII) – the UK’s development finance institution – and its local partners, showcasing the UK’s efforts to advance green finance and sustainable infrastructure in Bangladesh.
Speaking about her visit, Baroness Winterton said, “The UK and Bangladesh share a vibrant and evolving economic relationship. I am here to reaffirm our commitment to Bangladesh’s impressive development progress and to explore new trade and investment opportunities that benefit both nations. I look forward to seeing UK-supported projects that are creating jobs, strengthening supply chains, and driving shared growth.”
British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke said, “This is Baroness Winterton’s second visit in Dhaka in just six months, underscoring the UK’s deep commitment to Bangladesh’s economic transformation and long-term growth.
“The trade partnership between our countries continues to thrive, and we look forward to deepening this collaboration for mutual benefit.”
