Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moin Khan has expressed hope for expanding the existing friendly relations between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom and creating new areas of cooperation.

He made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cook at his office in the Secretariat on Thursday (September 10). State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam was also present.

The meeting discussed a range of issues of mutual interest, including strengthening economic ties between the two countries, addressing climate change, enhancing people-to-people contacts, strengthening the local government system, and cooperation in higher education and training.

The local government minister said the government was working to further strengthen democracy. Highlighting various aspects of Bangladesh’s local government system, he said equal importance was being given to rural development alongside urban development.

He said there was scope to create new areas of cooperation with the UK, particularly for developing the rural economy. Expanding mutual cooperation between the two countries could give fresh momentum to Bangladesh’s development activities, he added.

British High Commissioner Sarah Cook referred to the longstanding friendly relations between the two countries and stressed the importance of further strengthening people-to-people ties. She expressed interest in expanding the UK’s ongoing cooperation in urban development.

She also highlighted the importance of “bottom-up governance” in development planning and decision-making at the local level.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, State Minister Mir Shahe Alam said the government wanted to further expand cooperation with the UK. Discussions covered job creation, the agriculture sector, stronger economic ties and waste management, he said.

The state minister also said Bangladesh’s fiscal year had been changed to align with that of the UK, expressing hope that the move would help accelerate development activities.

Local Government Division Secretary Md Shahidul Hasan and senior officials of the ministry were present at the meeting.