Predictability, stability crucial for successful elevation to middle-income status: UK minister

A country like Bangladesh needs institutional quality, inclusion and stability for successful elevation to middle-income status, said Anne-Marie Trevelyan, UK minister of state of the foreign commonwealth and development office.

Addressing a discussion on the ‘Bangladesh –UK Partnership in the context of Indo-Pacific’ the UK state minister to achieve long-term growth institutional policy and predictability are also needed as these are vital to attract foreign investment.

“Credible elections are will be a key foundation in demonstrating a commitment to the country's founding constitutional values of parliamentary democracy and human rights”, she said.

“So, I welcome the honorable prime minister's public commitment to fair and principal elections” she said hoping that the Chief Election Commissioner to deliver on that commitment.

"As a Democratic politician myself, I might suggest some steps which could help," she said suggesting the political parties to redouble efforts to engage with each other to give up violence.

She also suggested that confidence and mutual trust could be increased by avoiding politically targeted arrests.

“And the international community can help by offering election observation to increase confidence in the outcome -something honorable Prime Minister has said she would welcome and we will be happy to support,” Ms Trevelyan said.

She felt that Bangladesh has a bright future ahead of it, and is emerging as a ‘responsible international player’ through expanding trade links across the world.

UK-Bangladesh partnership on climate and environment builds on the commitments of cop 26 and it ensures that we work together on sustainable emission reductions and that we promote affordable, clean energy, she said.

“We will provide technical expertise to leverage large funds investments from the private sector and from those international financial institutions” she added.

On the Rohingya issue, she said, the UK is providing humanitarian support to the Rohingyas and is also holding the government of Myanmar to account in the UN Security Council.

The UK minister noted that the only sustainable solution to this crisis is the safe and voluntary returns of the Rohingyas.

 “We are committed to help you manage the situation and I would like to commend and show our support for the incredible generosity that Bangladesh has shown and continues to show this displaced population” she added.

Since 2017, the UK has provided 350 million pounds of vital humanitarian assistance to the Rohingyas and to the host communities and we will continue to give assistance for as long as it is needed. She said.

According to her, in the wider region, the UK increasingly sees Bangladesh as a positive example of leadership in an increasingly contested region.

She pointed out that the Ukraine war impacted the world badly and ‘these are very serious impacts’.

“And we all need to focus very determinedly on making sure that that will end as quickly as possible”.

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