The United Kingdom has frozen over 250-million-pound worth of Bangladesh's siphoned-off wealth, in a breakthrough in Dhaka's asset-recovery drive.
British High Commissioner in Bangladesh Sarah Kooke broke the news Tuesday in Dhaka and underscored London's commitment to tackling illicit finance and supporting Dhaka's efforts to recover stolen wealth.
Speaking at an event organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Bangladesh (DCAB) in Dhaka, Cooke said the move reflected the UK's determination to uphold the rule of law and protect the integrity of the global financial system.
She adds that London would host an international summit on illicit finance later this year to strengthen cooperation and coordinate recovery efforts.
The remarks came as Cooke set out a broad vision for a deepening UK-Bangladesh relationship, describing it as increasingly "strategic and future-oriented" in response to both Bangladesh's rapid transformation and shifting global dynamics.
"I see a partnership that has grown deeper and wider," says the British envoy, pointing to expanding cooperation across trade, climate policy, security and governance.
"Today, the bilateral and the global partnership cannot be separated."
Responding to a question whether allowing Awami League in politics would help national healing, she said: "The events of July 2024 remain very fresh in many people's memories. So what we welcome is very much the government's commitment to their manifesto to a truth and healing commission, because that will be an important step towards justice, accountability and also truth seeking for abuses committed under the former regime.
"So, of course, that would be an important process to take forward the national healing that you described."
About the fate of the MoU signed between the UK and Bangladesh on purchase of the Airbus, she says: "That was a government-to- government agreement, and it's really framed to help improve or strengthen the partnership between the United Kingdom and Bangladesh on aviation.
She mentions Bangladesh's ambition to be a regional aviation hub and that they believe that the UK can help support those aspirations and those ambitions.
"So, of course, we are working to take forward that agreement, it's a government-to-government agreement."
She expresses her inability to comment on commercial negotiations that are going on at the moment, but they are very committed to supporting the ambitions for Bangladesh to become a regional aviation hub.
Cooke mentions that the UK had worked closely with Bangladesh during its recent political transition following the July 2024 uprising, including support for electoral preparations and institutional reforms.
She describes February's general election as a "significant democratic milestone" and says Britain is looking to work with the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on shared priorities.
Economic ties remain central to the partnership. The UK is one of the largest investors in Bangladesh, with cooperation spanning sectors from finance and education to energy and manufacturing.
Cooke highlights continued preferential market access for Bangladeshi exports under the UK's Developing Countries Trading Scheme, even as Dhaka prepares to graduate from least-developed-country status.
She also points to technical assistance aimed at strengthening trade policy, improving regulatory compliance and modernising customs systems, including collaboration between Bangladesh authorities and HM Revenue and Customs, as well as financial-sector cooperation with the Bank of England.
British International Investment is expected to channel £450 million into Bangladesh between 2022 and 2026, targeting job creation and private-sector development, while UK Export Finance has up to £2.0 billion available to support major infrastructure and energy projects.
Alongside economic engagement, Cooke places strong emphasis on climate cooperation, describing it as a "central pillar" of the relationship. UK-backed initiatives include flood-forecasting systems, climate resilience programmes and efforts to mobilise large-scale climate finance, particularly for vulnerable regions such as the Sundarbans.
Security and defence cooperation is also expanding, including a recent agreement to transfer a former Royal Navy survey vessel to Bangladesh to strengthen maritime capabilities in the Bay of Bengal.
Cooke says the move would support navigation safety, marine- resource management and scientific research.
On regional challenges, she reaffirms the UK's support for Bangladesh in hosting Rohingya refugees.
She also highlights joint efforts to tackle irregular migration and visa fraud, warning against exploitation by "unscrupulous agents".
Framing the partnership within a volatile global context, Cooke points to the economic ripple effects of conflicts in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine, arguing that global instability is increasingly shaping domestic realities in countries such as Bangladesh.
"The relationship between the United Kingdom and Bangladesh is deep, broad and forward-looking," she told the reporters, adding that the UK aims to remain a "predictable, long-term partner" as Bangladesh continues its economic and political transition.
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com
