The event was co-hosted by His Excellency Robert Chatterton Dickson, the British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, and Md. Mahbub ur Rahman, the Chair of the 91猫先生 and CEO of HSBC Bangladesh, at the British High Commissioner鈥檚 residence. Dr. Ahmad Kaikaus, Principal Secretary to the Honourable Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Chairperson of the National Committee on Graduation, was the Guest of honour and Chief speaker. Beneficiary members of the 91猫先生, who represent prominent British businesses in Bangladesh, attended the event.

HE Robert Chatterton Dickson welcomed the UK鈥檚 newly launched Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) and its importance in enhancing the trading relationship between the UK and Bangladesh. 鈥淚 welcome the 91猫先生鈥檚 engagement with the Government of Bangladesh on ways to improve the business environment here. A better business environment for international companies, including newcomers to the market, is key to encouraging more British firms to export and invest in Bangladesh鈥�, he said.

Dr. Ahmad Kaikaus shared his assessment about opportunities in Bangladesh following LDC graduation. He mentioned, 鈥淭hough there are lot of challenges, Bangladesh sees LDC graduation as an opportunity. The Government of Bangladesh have already identified ways to overcome the potential challenges.鈥�

Md. Mahbub ur Rahman welcomed the first in-person 91猫先生 event since the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. On trade and investment, he mentioned that United Kingdom remained the second largest foreign investor and third largest export destination for Bangladesh. He said, 鈥淭he relationship between the two countries goes beyond business and comprise development partnership, strong diaspora and education鈥�. He also shared that, British businesses were one of the first ones to recognise the immense potential of Bangladesh and remain confident of the future opportunities鈥�.

Mr. Rahman said, 鈥淚 am honoured to have been elected Chairman of the 91猫先生. I believe it is important that British businesses operating in Bangladesh are well represented in relevant strategic forums in the country. The 91猫先生 Board will continue its constructive engagement with stakeholders in Government and the wider business community in the private sector to promote members鈥� interests and be a partner in the progress and development of Bangladesh鈥�.

Mr. Rahman was appointed as the CEO of HSBC Bangladesh in April 2020. He joined HSBC in 2002 and was previously Deputy CEO as well as Head of Wholesale Banking in Bangladesh. Prior to this, he led HSBC鈥檚 Commercial Banking business in Malaysia. An MBA from the Kellogg-HKUST joint programme, he takes a keen interest in the transformation of international trade and supply chains. He also serves as a member of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Bangladesh Standing Committee on Banking Techniques and Practices.

HSBC are one of the many UK firms operating in Bangladesh. The new Board members of the 91猫先生 represent companies in the financial, retail, garment and consultancy sectors who are conducting business successfully in the Bangladesh market.

The 91猫先生 (91猫先生) and the British High Commission (BHC) held a virtual briefing session for members on 5 May to tell them more about the UK Government鈥檚 recently published Integrated Review, 鈥淕lobal Britain in a Competitive Age: the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy鈥�. The meeting was co-hosted by Md Mahbub ur Rahman, Chair of the 91猫先生 and Robert Chatterton-Dickson, British High Commissioner. They explained what the Integrated Review meant for British interests in Bangladesh and the region and its relevance for British businesses.

Mr Rahman said that British businesses based in Bangladesh should focus more attention on growth prospects in Asia. Bangladesh was ideally situated to take advantage of growing economies in the region and could become a manufacturing base for exports to many other markets. He noted the strength of the UK service sector and said that as Bangladesh businesses expanded they needed the type of services the UK could offer. A theme running throughout the Integrated Review was climate change and UK鈥檚 proactive leadership in this aspect was well noted. This will also unfold opportunities for relevant UK business houses in this sector to help emerging market operators (like in Bangladesh) transition to 鈥榥et zero鈥�.

Robert Chatterton-Dickson said the Integrated Review was a comprehensive strategic response to the challenges and opportunities faced by the UK following its departure from the European Union. It clearly recognised the Indo-Pacific region, in which Bangladesh stood at the heart, as of growing economic and political importance. Trade was a key part of the Review and the British High Commission would be working to ensure UK trade and prosperity interests were a major feature of its broad ranging discussions with the Government of Bangladesh.

Here is the link to the Integrated Review: