Valerie attends Bangladesh independence event

I attended an event on 27 March 2019 in the House of Commons with the High Commissioner for Bangladesh which celebrated the 48th anniversary of the Independence of Bangladesh. The 26 March marks the anniversary of the day in 1971 that the country declared independence from Pakistan.

At the event, I learnt about the steps forward Bangladesh has taken in recent years in a wide range of areas, including an increase in the literacy rate from 47% in 2007 to 73% in 2018 and a 55% increase in the budget for tackling the effects of climate change over the last three years – the country is particularly at risk from climate change due to its geography. The country is also establishing itself as a destination for technology companies, providing a source of employment for the country’s growing young population.

Bangladesh has also been working towards greater peace and security in the region, by prioritising the fight against extremism and hosting Rohingya refugees who were forced to flee their homes in Myanmar.