An 11-member delegation of the United
Kingdom (UK) Labour Party made a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina on Monday at her Sangsad Bhaban office.
Noted British parliamentarian Sir Keir
Starmer led the delegation, comprising Stephen Timms, MP, Steve Reed, MP
and senior leaders of the British Labour Party.
Briefing reporters after the meeting,
PM's press secretary Ihsanul Karim said the prime minister and the
labour party leaders discussed various issue relating to the mutual
interests.
The Labour Party leaders, who arrived
Bangladesh to "meet, listen and learn people", assured the Prime
Minister of making their efforts for restoration of the UK visa centre
in Bangladesh, he said.
The British parliament members said a
large number of Bangladesh origin British citizens are living in their
constituencies. They said three Bangladesh origin female members in the
British parliament are well respected.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recalled
Bangladesh's excellent traditional relation with the UK saying the Awami
League and The Labour Party have many similarities in terms of
policies.
Bangladesh origin British people are
contributing in the development of both the countries, she said urging
for more British investment in Bangladesh particularly in the Special
Economic Zones (SEZs).
Pointing out the steps taken by her
government for creating a investment-friendly environment in Bangladesh,
the prime minister said steps were taken for addressing the issues
including the power scarcity. The British investors can focus on food
processing industries in the SEZs, she said
During the meeting, the Prime Minister
referred to Bangladesh's vulnerability to climate change and said
Bangladesh with its own resources has taken up many projects as the
developed countries are delivering very low than their commitment in
terms of giving financial support to the climate victims.
The prime minister also pointed out the
negative politics of the BNP-Jamaat clique saying this due in the name
of politics is up to destroy all achievements and successes of the
people of Bangladesh.
Sheikh Hasina said her government has
introduced the direct Sylhet-London air link to make easy the travel of
millions of Bangladesh origin British people in the UK and strengthen
ties with that country. Withdrawal of visa centre from Dhaka remains as
an impediment to this end, she said.
PM's advisor on international affairs Dr
Gowher Rizvi, International Affairs secretary of Awami League Faruk
Khan, MP and PMO secretary Suraiya Begum were present.
