UK Under-Secretary arrives Dhaka today

Staff Reporter :
Sir Philip Barton, the Permanent Under-Secretary of the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, is set to arrive in Bangladesh today on a two-day visit to talk on multiple issues including trade and security.

Sir Philip’s main focus will be the fifth UK-Bangladesh Strategic Dialogue chaired by Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Ambassador Masud Bin Momen, British High Commission Dhaka said on Sunday.

“Building on the UK
and Bangladesh’s historic links, the Strategic Dialogue reflects the two countries’ shared commitment to develop a modern economic, trade and security partnership,” it said.

The Dialogue will cover political and diplomatic relations, economic, trade and development partnerships, and global, regional and security issues, including the Rohingya crisis.

It will also provide an opportunity to boost economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, cooperation on COP28 and joint work on climate financing, adaptation and resilience to climate impacts, and showcase the UK’s substantial economic development investment offer.

During his stay in Dhaka, the Permanent Under-Secretary will also meet politicians, civil society organisations, business leaders and youth representatives.

This is Sir Philip’s first visit to Bangladesh as Permanent Under-Secretary. However, he visited Dhaka in 2008 in his capacity as Director South Asia, FCO.