DHAKA, June 4, 2020 (BSS) – Bangladesh has urged the United Kingdom (UK) to create a ‘global supply chain sustainability fund’ for post-Covid socio-economic recovery of countries including Bangladesh those have been victimized by the British retailers.
The urge was made by Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem with reference to case of unethical cancellations and non-payment for manufactured apparels by the UK retailers victimizing the Bangladesh RMG industry and 4.5 million workers, a press release issued by Bangladesh London mission said here this evening.
Bangladesh envoy to the UK was addressing at a ‘High Commissioners’ Virtual Conference’ organized by the UK FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) Minister of State for South Asia, Commonwealth, the UN and the DFID, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon this week.
Bangladesh High Commissioner also called upon the UK to ensure equitable and affordable access to vaccines and therapeutics manufactured by the UK and other developed countries for the most vulnerable countries including LDCs.
Tasneem was one of the eight speakers at the conference participated by more than 48 High Commissioners of the Commonwealth, UK’s Joint Head of International Engagement of the HMG Coronavirus Taskforce Alastair King Smith and UK FCO High Officials including the
Commonwealth Envoy, Philip Parham.
The High Commissioner said Bangladesh under the prudent leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was not only the first country to manufacture generic version of the Remdesivir anti-viral drug for Covid-19 with its free access to all hospitals across the country but also braved the Category 5 super cyclone Amphan by rapidly evacuating 2.5 million people amidst the pandemic while protecting the Rohingyas.
She also briefed the conference about the innovative and unprecedented initiatives undertaken by Bangladesh premier including a $11.50 billion (3.4% of Bangladesh GDP) Covid-response social safety emergency aid and incentive package for protecting livelihoods of the most vulnerable faction of the society.
British FCO Minister Lord Ahmad, who chaired the virtual conference, praised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government for her Covid-response initiatives including local manufacturing of generic version of the anti-viral Remdisivir drug, PPEs and ventilators as
well as taking prompt actions in evacuating 2.4 million people.
He assured the UK’s continued engagement and support to Bangladesh’s post-covid socio-economic and sustainable development recovery.