Remove Bangladesh from Covid red-list, Momen urges UK

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has requested British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to lift the United Kingdom's travel restrictions on Bangladesh, imposed under the red-list earlier this year because of the then uptick in Covid-19 cases.

Momen, at a bilateral meeting in London on Monday, told Raab, "Given Bangladesh's robust vaccine roll-out and significant reductions in covid infection to 9.82% and sufferings of more than 7,000 British-Bangladeshis currently stranded in Bangladesh, the UK should consider removing this country from the Covid red-list countries."

In response, Secretary of State Raab said, "Britain does appreciate politically the overall pressure on the government regarding red-listing and remains well aware of the decreasing Covid infections in Bangladesh.

"However, such decisions are reviewed by the Public Health Experts on a regular basis. I would like to assure that given the long standing friendship between our two countries, and based on more frequent genomic sequencing data-uploading by Bangladesh, the British Government will review Bangladesh red list."

During their first official bilateral meeting, the two foreign ministers reaffirmed the historic and value-based relations between Bangladesh and the UK since Bangladesh's Liberation War in 1971, said a press release issued by the Bangladesh High Commission in London.

The duo also agreed to jointly celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-UK diplomatic relations through exchange of high-level visits and charting an ambitious and ever-expanding Bangladesh-UK post-Brexit strategic partnership, it added.

Discussing the protracted Rohingya crisis and stalemate in the process of safe and sustainable returns, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen gave historic references to earlier repatriations of Rohingyas by Myanmar, and requested the British foreign secretary to create pressure on Myanmar for immediate repatriation of their Rohingyas from Bangladesh.

Mentioning the concern of the British government on the current political turmoil in Myanmar, Raab reiterated UK's continued commitment to resolve the Rohingya crisis, and that together with the ASEAN and fellow G7 countries, UK would put increased pressure on Myanmar for a sustainable resolution of the Rohingya crisis.

Both the Ministers expressed deep concerns at the current Afghan situation and agreed to work closely to restore regional peace, security and stability.

Momen pointed out that Bangladesh remains deeply committed to maintaining regional peace and security and would continue to stand next to the people of Afghanistan whose voice should be heard for a sustainable future of their country.

On post-Brexit trade relations with the UK – one of Bangladesh's largest trade and investment partners, Momen sought an extension of the UK's zero-duty GSP facility until 2029, especially given the losses suffered by Bangladesh apparel industry owing to post-pandemic cancellations and non-payments by UK retailers. 

Citing countries which have already taken dedicated SEZs in Bangladesh, including Saudi Arabia, Japan, India, China and South Korea, Momen offered a dedicated SEZ for British investors.

He invited fresh investments in the IT and green RMG and apparel industry, as well as offshore solar and wind power plants, electric vehicles and batteries, electric public transport and railway sectors.

On climate change, Momen recalled his recent meeting with COP26 President Alok Sharma and reiterated Bangladesh's request as the CVF President participation of Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the CVF-COP26 Leaders Dialogue during the COP26 Leaders Summit in Glasgow.

Foreign Minister Momen briefed Secretary Raab on Bangladesh and CVF's priorities and expectations at the COP26 and praised UK leadership for duly addressing the important issue of loss and damage at Glasgow.

Commending Bangladesh as a climate leader and its proactive CVF Presidency role, the British foreign secretary called upon the country to declare a net-zero by 2050 and a transition to clean energy.

Foreign Minister Momen called for immediate transfer of appropriate technologies, large investments and financing from developed countries, especially the UK, for Bangladesh's transition to a low carbon economy by 2050.

During the meeting, Momen invited Secretary Raab to visit Bangladesh at the earliest opportunity, especially during the historic year of Bangladesh-UK diplomatic relations. Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem joined the high-profile meeting which was earlier postponed due to Foreign Secretary Raab's emergency trip to Qatar in the wake of the Afghan crisis.