Bangladesh and the United Kingdom (UK) today 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 Sarah Cooke, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, in the presence of the UK Trade Envoy, Baroness Rosie Winterton, who is visiting Dhaka this week to reinforce and expand the longstanding and mutually beneficial UK–Bangladesh trade and economic partnership.
State minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat and Civil Aviation and Tourism adviser Humayun Kobir were also present.
The agreement marks a significant step in strengthening bilateral collaboration, with a focus on investment facilitation, knowledge exchange, capacity building, and increased private sector participation in the aviation sector, said a press release issued by the British High Commission in Dhaka.
“We are confident that PPPA will carry forward the country’s agenda in line with the instructions of the Hon’ble Prime Minister. I assure our full support and commitment to Bangladesh-UK engagement that create mutual benefit for both countries,” Millat said after the signing ceremony.
Kobir said that Bangladesh is open for business to the world and is committed to further strengthening its relationship with the UK.
“We want to unlock the creative potential of our people, particularly our young people, as well as the strength and dynamism of British diaspora businesses. We also want to deepen and expand our business engagement with the UK,” he added.
The adviser expressed his believe that this agreement would help pave the way for broader, more wide-ranging collaboration across sectors
“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,” said Winterton at the event.
She said that the MoU provided 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.”
“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,” said British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke.
Ashik Chowdhury termed the MoU as an important step forward. “The support of the Prime Minister’s Office and the commitment of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism have helped to bring us to this point,” he said.
Chowdhury said that 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. It also creates opportunities for our young workforce and supports its growing global mobility. We are excited about the potential ahead,” he observed.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
