Dhaka: The United Kingdom’s Minister for International Development Baroness Verma concluded her three-day visit on Friday wishing a ‘stronger’ Bangladesh that can lead its own development.  

Before leaving on Friday, Verma said the new Global Goals (Sustainable Development Goals) present a vital opportunity for Bangladesh to lead its own development towards a middle-income status and ensure that no one is left behind.  

‘This means working with the people of Bangladesh to help transform the lives of the poorest, most vulnerable and most marginalised,’ she mentioned.

Verma mentioned that over the past few days she has seen firsthand how UK aid is making a difference to the lives of so many people across Bangladesh.  

‘Disability inclusion remains a priority for the UK to ensure no one is left behind,’ she said adding that UK aid, through the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed, is providing people with disabilities with medical care, free vocational training and the rehabilitation support needed to help them back into society and to continue working.

The UK minister met women survivors of acid attacks and saw how the Acid Survivors Foundation helped them deal with this huge trauma and gain the confidence to carry on with their lives.  

‘My role as Ministerial Champion for Tackling Violence against Women and Girls Overseas means I am working with colleagues across government to ensure Britain continues to show global leadership in efforts to end violence against women and girls,’ she said.

During her stay, she visited UK funded projects in Dhaka to hear from beneficiaries how UK aid is transforming lives.  

She met a range of people including development and private sector partners, civil society representatives, as well as some of the many people benefitting from DFID programmes.