Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
Bangladesh’sChief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has reaffirmed that Bangladesh’s national election will be held in the first half of February, calling it “the first genuinely democratic vote in many years.” “What happened in the last 16 years was a mockery of an election,” Yunus said, adding that he plans to return to his previous role after the polls.
He made the remarks during a meeting with UK Trade Envoy Rosie Winterton at the State Guest House Jamuna, where the two discussed trade, investment, clean energy, and Bangladesh’s democratic transition.
Winterton praised Bangladesh’s recent reforms in business regulations, customs, and revenue systems, and highlighted opportunities for deeper cooperation in education, aviation, and clean energy. She also lauded Yunus’s leadership at the UN General Assembly, especially his inclusion of political leaders in UNGA meetings.
The discussion also covered Bangladesh’s plan to purchase the HMS Enterprise and other offshore patrol vessels from the UK, with the HMS Enterprise deal expected to conclude by year-end. The meeting was attended by British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke, Lutfey Siddiqi, and senior Bangladeshi officials.