Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State at the Foreign
and Commonwealth Office and Minister for the Commonwealth and the
United Nations, left Bangladesh today following a two day trip.
As the first UK Minister to visit the country following June’s
election, Lord Ahmad met the Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, and
the State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shahriar Alam and
reinforced the UK’s commitment to deepening relations and
co-operation with Bangladesh across a wide range of issues
including trade, development, migration, and the shared challenge
of combating terrorism and extremism. He reiterated the UK’s hope
that the next parliamentary elections would be free, fair and
inclusive. His message to Bangladeshi political parties was:
“Number one, please participate and secondly let’s have a free,
fair and transparent election, because those are foundations for
ensuring sustainable democracy for the long term.”
Ahead of the Commonwealth Summit in London next year, Lord Ahmad
called on Bangladesh to play a leading role. He said:
“The Commonwealth has huge potential to increase its global
influence. Britain will be looking at ways to re-invigorate and
re-energise this unique institution when London hosts the
Commonwealth Summit next April. Bangladesh has a great tale to
tell, which should be shared with our partner Commonwealth
countries, about the work it has done to empower women and girls
through education and employment.”
He also discussed the role of the Commonwealth in promoting
values such as tolerance, human rights and the rule of law.
Lord Ahmad visited a textile factory to witness a skills
development programme for workers in the ready-made garment
industry, which is being carried out with UK assistance. The
Minister acknowledged the role the garment industry plays in
Bangladeshi women’s emancipation:
“It’s marvellous to see millions of women in Bangladesh becoming
self-reliant through employment. This is a driving force behind
the country’s progress towards middle income status.”
Lord Ahmad also addressed a reception for Bangladeshis who had
studied in the UK on Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships.
Launching the UK’s Chevening scholarship for 2018-2019, Lord
Ahmad welcomed the four-fold increase in the number of
scholarships since 2014.
Notes for Editors
- Lord Tariq Mahmood Ahmad is a British businessman, appointed
Minister of State for the Commonwealth and United Nations at the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 13 June, 2017.
- On January 13, 2011, he was created a life peer, taking the
title Baron Ahmad of Wimbledon.
- There are more than 230 Chevening alumni in Bangladesh
working in a variety of sectors.
- Over 1600 Commonwealth scholarships have been awarded to
Bangladeshi citizens since the programme began in 1960.
