Moyeen Khan sees scope for deeper Bangladesh-UK cooperation in rural development

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Thursday said Bangladesh and the United Kingdom could open new areas of cooperation, particularly in rural development, as the two countries seek to deepen their long-standing relationship.

Moyeen Khan made the remarks during a meeting with British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke at his office at the Secretariat. State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam was also present.

The two sides discussed strengthening economic ties, climate change, people-to-people relations, local government, higher education and training, as well as potential cooperation in developing Bangladesh’s rural economy.

Moyeen Khan said the government was working to strengthen democracy and local government institutions, while giving rural development equal priority alongside urban development.

He said greater cooperation with the UK in developing the rural economy could add momentum to Bangladesh’s broader development efforts.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Cooke said the UK had invested more than £100 million over the past decade in supporting the Local Government Ministry and local governments across Bangladesh.

“We've been working together for over 10 years. The UK has invested over £100 million over that period in supporting the ministry and local governments,” Cooke said.

She said the meeting reviewed lessons from the partnership and explored how the two countries could expand cooperation in the coming years.

Cooke said the UK had also supported Bangladesh in designing its national urban development programme and its new national urban development policy.

The two sides discussed sustainability and ways to address the effects of climate change, particularly in rural areas, she added.

Cooke also stressed strengthening people-to-people ties and expressed interest in expanding British cooperation in urban development. She highlighted the importance of “bottom-up governance,” with local communities and institutions playing a greater role in development planning and decision-making.

State Minister Mir Shahe Alam said the government wanted to broaden cooperation with the UK, with discussions also covering job creation, agriculture, economic relations and waste management.

He said Bangladesh's decision to change its fiscal year to align with the UK's calendar was also discussed, arguing that the change could make development activities more efficient.

Local Government Division Secretary Md Shahidul Hasan and other senior ministry officials attended the meeting.