High Commissioner for Bangladesh visits Rochdale

Reporter: Laura Wild
Date online: 01 June 2009

The British High Commissioner for Bangladesh enjoyed a tour of Rochdale as part of his nationwide visit to Bangladeshi communities in the UK last week.

They were shown around the town hall by the Mayor, Councillor Keith Swift, the Mayoress Sue Etchells and Councillor Farooq Ahmed. They then had lunch at the Mayor’s parlour.

This was followed by a meeting with community & business leaders from the Bangladeshi community. A presentation was made by Mohammed Dobir Miah (Secretary, Rochdale Bangladeshi Partnership Project) on the recent exploratory visit and a brief background about the organisation.

The delegation also attended a reception organised by the Bangladesh Association and Community Project on Ramsay Street; where they met members of the Bangladeshi community, service users, staff and management. They were shown around the facilities and also visited some nearby businesses and the Jalalia Mosque.

Mr Evans was accompanied by Chris Austin, the head of the Department For International Development (DFID) in Bangladesh and Charles Nuttall, the British Council Director.

Mr Evans said: "We hope these visits will show how we are helping Bangladesh to build democracy, prepare for climate change and developing trade so that together we can increase the number of imports from Bangladesh to the UK."

Councillor Swift said: "We were delighted and honoured to welcome the British High Commissioner for Bangladesh to Rochdale to build on our links with the country.

“I hope this is the start of a good working relationship between the British High Commission, DFID, the British Council and the Rochdale Bangladeshi Partnership Project."

The day was the return leg of an exchange visit aimed at strengthening links between Sylhet in Bangladesh and Rochdale by sharing good practice in business and governance while building historical and cultural links.

The Rochdale Bangladeshi Partnership Project was formed last March to foster the relationship with Sylhet to increase trade and educational opportunities for British Bangladeshi people.