This is a fine thing: Rushanara Ali, the Labour MP from Bethnal Green and Bow (and the Shadow Minister for international development) met the two opposing leaders of the two major parties in Bangladesh.
She declared that the ruling Conservative government would not cut its financial assistance to Bangladesh. Ms. Ali and the Prime Minister discussed Bangladesh’s strategy to lure international investment. On top of the list was the planned “special economic zone” in Sylhet where non-resident (read, Bengalis who are citizens of the the United Kingdom and the United States) Bangladeshis can easily invest. Further, she requested more help in combatting the consequences of climate change.
Not surprisingly Begum Khaleda Zia had much the same to say to Ms. Ali when they met. After all, it would not do to present a different plan for Bangladesh’s development were Begum Zia to take power in the near future. Indeed the plan to secure stronger ties with the U.K. remains the same for both parties in Bangladesh. International investment is driving the strategy. It will not do to change course in mid-stream when the economy seems to be doing well. The international markets, both leaders seem to hope, will soon send much needed investment inflows into Bangladesh’s shores.
Let the ship sail as it is sailing the three leaders seem to say, in unison.