Long-term economic growth on agenda as UK trade envoy visits Bangladesh
The trade envoy's mission will reinforce the UK's commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s long-term economic reform agenda and boosting two-way trade and investment for mutual prosperity
United Kingdom's Trade Envoy to Bangladesh, Baroness Winterton of Doncaster DBE, has arrived in Dhaka today (5 October) on a five-day official visit to develop the longstanding trade and investment ties between the UK and Bangladesh.
The visit aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation and explore new opportunities for mutual economic growth, according to a press release.
It comes at a crucial time as Bangladesh gears up for national elections in February 2026 and prepares for its graduation from a least developed country (LDC) status in November 2026.
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The trade envoy's mission will reinforce the UK's commitment to supporting Bangladesh's long-term economic reform agenda and boosting two-way trade and investment for mutual prosperity.
During her visit, she will meet senior members of the interim government, including Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, Commerce Adviser SK Bashir Uddin, Education Adviser Professor CR Abrar, and Special Envoy on International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi, to discuss the UK-Bangladesh partnership on economic reform, trade and investment.
She will also meet with leaders of major political parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, and National Citizen Party (NCP), to discuss the UK's commitment as a long-term growth partner.
As part of her visit to Dhaka and Chattogram, the envoy will engage with stakeholders across key sectors, including aviation, higher education, renewable energy, and defence.
In Chattogram, she will see first-hand how UK-linked investments are creating jobs, strengthening supply chains, and driving growth in both Bangladesh and the UK.
These visits also underscore the importance of the UK's Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) — the UK's trade preference programme.
Under the DCTS, Bangladeshi goods will enjoy full duty-free access to the UK market until 2029, supporting Bangladesh's export competitiveness as it transitions from LDC status.
The visit will also include meetings with British International Investment (BII) — the UK's Development Finance organisation — and its local partners, highlighting the UK's role in enabling green finance and sustainable infrastructure in Bangladesh.
"The UK and Bangladesh share a dynamic and growing economic partnership. I am here to reaffirm our commitment to supporting Bangladesh's remarkable development journey and to explore new opportunities for trade and investment that benefit both our nations. I look forward to seeing UK-backed investments on the ground, investments that are creating jobs, strengthening supply chains, and delivering real economic value for both Bangladesh and the UK," Baroness Winterton said.
British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke said, "The UK Trade Envoy to Bangladesh's second visit in six months reiterates the UK's strong commitment to the country's economic reform and long-term growth.
"The UK-Bangladesh trade partnership is going from strength to strength, and we look forward to cementing it even further, for mutual prosperity," she added.
Baroness Winterton was appointed as the United Kingdom Trade Envoy to Bangladesh in January 2025, add the release.
She plays a key role in strengthening trade and investment ties between the UK and Bangladesh. This will be her second trip to Bangladesh as the trade envoy.
