[🇧🇩] U.K.---A development partner of Bangladesh

[Saif]

Yunus to visit UK after Eid to refresh Dhaka-London bonds

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to pay an official visit to the United Kingdom (UK) shortly after Eid-ul-Azha as the two countries are putting in efforts to refresh their bonds and work ever more closely together on economic, trade and investment fronts. The visit is likely to

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Yunus to visit UK after Eid to refresh Dhaka-London bonds
UNB
Published :
May 20, 2025 21:59
Updated :
May 20, 2025 21:59

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to pay an official visit to the United Kingdom (UK) shortly after Eid-ul-Azha as the two countries are putting in efforts to refresh their bonds and work ever more closely together on economic, trade and investment fronts.

The visit is likely to take place from June 9-13, a senior official told UNB on Tuesday, adding that the both sides are working on finalising the agenda of the visit.

The Chief Adviser is likely to hold talks with King Charles and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during the planned visit.

The recovery of laundered money and assets abroad will also be there as an important issue to be discussed during the visit.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur, while briefing reporters at the Foreign Service Academy on Monday said the Chief Adviser will put in his efforts (recovery of stolen money, assets abroad ) as he is going to London.

The government says the previous regime enabled the laundering of an estimated $16 billion annually.

The Chief Adviser, earlier, sought support from the British government through its envoy in Dhaka to track and get back the money laundered to the UK allegedly by the people linked to the Sheikh Hasina-led previous government.

Senior officials from the Bangladesh Bank and Anti-Corruption Commission will also accompany the Chief Adviser during the visit to discuss ways to repatriate the laundered money.

The Chief Adviser recently visited China and will pay an official visit to Japan later this month.​

 

[Saif]

UK keeps duty-free access for Bangladeshi goods

The UK government has updated its trade preference scheme—the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS)—that will enable Bangladesh to continue to benefit from zero tariffs on products like garments and electronics.

www.thedailystar.net

UK keeps duty-free access for Bangladeshi goods

The UK government has updated its trade preference scheme—the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS)—that will enable Bangladesh to continue to benefit from zero tariffs on products like garments and electronics.

Upgrades include simplified rules of origin, enabling more goods from countries like Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines to enter the UK tariff-free—even when using components from across Asia and Africa, said a statement from the UK's Department for Business and Trade (DBT).

They also ensure countries such as Bangladesh and Cambodia continue to benefit from zero tariffs on products like garments and electronics, it added.

"This will open up new commercial opportunities for UK businesses to build resilient supply chains, invest in emerging markets, and tap into fast-growing economies," said the statement issued last week.

Bangladesh, along with 64 countries, enjoys reduced or zero tariffs on thousands of products, and the UK said new measures will make it easier for developing countries to trade, supporting jobs and economic growth both in the UK and overseas.

The new trade measures were unveiled on July 10 before British business leaders and ambassadors from around the world at a joint DBT and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) reception in London.

"These new rules will make it easier for developing countries to trade more closely with the UK. This is good for their economies and for UK consumers and businesses," said Jenny Chapman, Minister of State for International Development.

The DBT said the DCTS allows some of the world's poorest countries to export to the UK duty- and quota-free, with over £16 billion in UK imports benefiting from tariff savings since its launch in June 2023.

"No country has ever lifted itself out of poverty without trading with its neighbours. Over recent decades, trade has been an essential ingredient in lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty around the globe," said Douglas Alexander, Minister of State for Trade Policy.

Monique Leeuwenburgh, Director of Sourcing, Marks & Spencer PLC, said, "This change will enable us to maintain our longstanding and trusted relationships with our key partners in Bangladesh, to deliver the same great quality clothing & home products at great value for our customers."

Eoin Tonge, Interim Chief Executive at Primark, said, "This will help us to maintain our existing supply chain strategy in our key sourcing markets in Asia, such as Bangladesh and Cambodia."​

 

[Saif]

Britain pledges continued support for modernisation of Bangladesh Bank

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Sarah Cooke, on Thursday reaffirmed the UK government’s commitment to supporting the transformation of Bangladesh Bank into a modern, technology-driven, and robust central bank. The commitment was made during a courtesy call with the Governor of Bangl

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Britain pledges continued support for modernisation of Bangladesh Bank

UNB

Published :
May 07, 2026 22:10
Updated :
May 07, 2026 22:10

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Sarah Cooke, on Thursday reaffirmed the UK government’s commitment to supporting the transformation of Bangladesh Bank into a modern, technology-driven, and robust central bank.

The commitment was made during a courtesy call with the Governor of Bangladesh Bank, Md. Mostaqur Rahman, at the central bank’s headquarters in the capital.

The meeting covered a wide range of bilateral cooperation issues, with a particular focus on the modernization of the financial sector, capacity building for the central bank, and the enhancement of human resources.

A significant portion of the discussion centered on anti-money laundering (AML) efforts and the recovery of laundered assets. Both parties expressed a firm resolve to strengthen coordination with relevant UK authorities to recover assets smuggled abroad. The talks also touched upon critical legislative reforms, including the ‘Bank Resolution Act,’ aimed at ensuring long-term stability and good governance in the banking industry.

In a move toward greater digital integration, the High Commissioner and the Governor discussed:

Digital Bank Statement Verification: Implementing a digital system to verify bank statements provided during visa applications to prevent fraud.

Combating Illegal Migration: Joint efforts to prevent illegal migration and the use of forged documents.

FATF Mutual Evaluation: Preparations for the upcoming Financial Action Task Force (FATF) assessment to ensure Bangladesh’s compliance with global financial security standards.

Governor Mostaqur Rahman expressed his gratitude for the UK’s consistent support in Bangladesh’s development journey. He reiterated the central bank’s firm commitment to building a cashless society and a resilient digital payment ecosystem.

“We are focused on ensuring transparency and good governance within the financial sector through modern technology,” the Governor noted during the exchange.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank Dr. Habibur Rahman, Stolen Asset Recovery Consultant Farhanul Ghani Chowdhury, and representatives from the British High Commission, including Emma Wind and Issam Musaddeque.​

 

[Saif]

80 British-Bangladeshi councillors elected across 4 East London Boroughs

In the recent UK local government elections, 80 British citizens of Bangladeshi descent have been elected as councillors across four predominantly Bangladeshi-populated boroughs in East London. Those are: Tower Hamlets, Newham, Redbridge, and Barking & Dagenham. Local political analysts have...

en.prothomalo.com

80 British-Bangladeshi councillors elected across 4 East London Boroughs

Political observers believe that the new generation of British-Bangladeshis are no longer just voters but are now cementing their positions at the heart of local policymaking.

Saidul Islam
London
Published: 10 May 2026, 23: 06

Bangladeshi-origin councillors elected across four East London boroughs include Hossain Mohammed Enamul, Moin Qadri, Ajanta Deb Roy, Rabina Khan, Saida Chowdhury, Syeda Sayma Ahmed, Abu Talha Chowdhury, Shafiq Islam, Oliur Rahman and Shenali Mia (left to right, top to bottom)

In the recent UK local government elections, 80 British citizens of Bangladeshi descent have been elected as councillors across four predominantly Bangladeshi-populated boroughs in East London.

Those are: Tower Hamlets, Newham, Redbridge, and Barking & Dagenham.

Local political analysts have hailed this as one of the most significant milestones in the political history of the British-Bangladeshi community. More than 300 individuals from the expatriate Bangladeshi community contested seats in this election.

Election results indicate that in all four boroughs, the majority of Bangladeshi-origin candidates achieved notable success through independent and regional political platforms, moving beyond the traditional mainstream parties.

The most resounding victory occurred in Tower Hamlets, where candidates nominated by the Aspire Party secured a landslide win. The party attained a record majority by winning 33 seats in the 45-member council—all 33 of whom are of Bangladeshi descent. Consequently, Tower Hamlets hosts the highest number of elected Bangladeshi-origin councillors.

Additionally, in Tower Hamlets, three candidates from the Labour Party and one from the Liberal Democrats were elected. Simultaneously, Lutfur Rahman was elected as the Executive Mayor for a fourth term, defeating Labour candidate Sirajul Islam by a significant margin with 35,679 votes.

Bangladeshi candidates also saw major success in Newham. Among those elected, 12 represent the Newham Independent Party, six are from the Labour Party, and one secured a seat for the Green Party.

History was made as Farhad Hossain was elected as the new Executive Mayor of Newham, becoming the first person of Bangladeshi origin to be elected to such a position representing a major mainstream UK political party (Labour).

The Bangladeshi community’s strong presence was equally evident in Redbridge, where nine Labour councillors and five independent candidates of Bangladeshi descent were victorious. The influence of Bangladeshi candidates has notably increased, particularly in the Bangladeshi-populated areas of Ilford.

In Barking & Dagenham, the elected Bangladeshi contingent consists of eight Labour Party councillors and two from the Green Party.

Political analysts suggest that the influence of the Bangladeshi community in East London local politics has reached a new peak.

The establishment of Bangladeshi leadership in the mayoral offices of Tower Hamlets and Newham, alongside a widespread presence across council chambers, has created a new political reality.

Furthermore, both members of parliament for the Tower Hamlets area—Rushanara Ali and Apsana Begum—are also of Bangladeshi descent.

Beyond East London, several Bangladeshi-origin councillors were elected in other London boroughs such as Ealing, Croydon, and Brent, as well as in Birmingham.

Since the early days of migration, Bangladeshis have settled primarily in East London.

According to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), these four boroughs maintain significant Bangladeshi populations. In Tower Hamlets, the proportion of Bangladeshis is approximately 35 per cent to 40 per cent. Newham is home to between 40,000 and 50,000, while Redbridge has approximately 30,000, and Barking & Dagenham houses around 20,000 residents of Bangladeshi origin.

Political observers believe that the new generation of British-Bangladeshis are no longer just voters but are now cementing their positions at the heart of local policymaking.

This election is being viewed as the strongest evidence yet of that structural shift.​