Dhaka 01 November, 2026

President Seeks UK Cooperation in Education Tech and Trade during Sarah Cooke's Call On

RTV News

Publish : 14 Sep 2026, 05:08 PM
British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke pays a courtesy call on President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. -PID Photo

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday called upon the United Kingdom to intensify collaboration across Bangladesh’s education, human resource advancement, and technology domains, while pressing for a deeper expansion of bilateral trade and investment.

He articulated this appeal when British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke paid a courtesy visit to the President at Bangabhaban this morning, as outlined in an official communique issued by President's Press Secretary Md. Sarwar Alam.

Throughout the dialogue, Sarah Cooke formally presented a felicitation letter dispatched by King Charles III of the United Kingdom to Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on the occasion of his accession to the presidency.

The President conveyed his appreciation to King Charles III for the warm wishes and congratulatory dispatch, prompting him to ask the British envoy to relay his reciprocal greetings to the monarch.

He additionally solicited collaborative backing to broaden higher education pathways for Bangladeshi scholars within the UK, augment Commonwealth scholarship quotas, cultivate local human capital, and boost the institutional capabilities of educational and technological bodies.

"Expatriate Bangladeshis living in Britain are making significant contributions to strengthening and developing the ties between Britain and Bangladesh," he stated.

"Besides bilateral relations, Bangladesh, as a member state of the Commonwealth, has been working closely with the UK on the development of Commonwealth countries and various issues of common interest," he added.

The President further observed that Bangladesh has successfully transitioned back onto a democratic trajectory via an unhindered, neutral, and tranquil ballot, underscoring the critical necessity of reinforcing the operational capacity of democratic bodies and elected representatives to anchor this process securely.

Pointing to the UK's Westminster parliamentary model, the President highlighted the value of maintaining consistent dialogue, reciprocal delegations, and experiential exchanges between lawmakers representing both realms.

During the exchange, Sarah Cooke revealed that roughly 99.99 percent of Bangladeshi merchandise, encompassing ready-made garments, will retain duty-free and unhindered entry into the British marketplace for an additional three-year span following the nation's graduation from the Least Developed Country bracket.

The President characterized this trade provision as a vital catalyst for broadening commercial engagements between the two friendly nations.

Furthermore, the British High Commissioner briefed the head of state concerning a newly minted proposal centered on digital climate data sharing linking Bangladesh and the UK.

"The initiative will play an effective role in making weather forecasts more accurate and increasing agricultural production through the exchange of weather and climate-related information between the two countries," the President remarked, voicing his approval of the venture.

The Secretary to the President's Office, the Press Secretary, the British Deputy High Commissioner alongside the Director of Development, and high-ranking delegates representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and allied departments participated in the proceedings.

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