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UK International Development Minister Baroness Verma visits Bangladesh

Britain’s commitment to achieving the Global Goals and working closely with Bangladesh was reaffirmed by UK International Development Minister Baroness Verma who arrived in Dhaka today.

UK International Development Minister Baroness Verma visits Bangladesh

Britain’s commitment to achieving the Global Goals and working closely with Bangladesh was reaffirmed by UK International Development Minister Baroness Verma who arrived in Dhaka today (8 December 2015).

During her visit, the Minister will engage with local audience about the UK Government’s priorities and how UK Aid can best support the Government of Bangladesh’s commitment to the new Global Goals. The UK supports the Government of Bangladesh’s aim to eliminate extreme poverty in a decade and ensure that the process of inclusive growth leaves no one behind.

The Minister will also meet a range of people including the development partners, civil society, stakeholders and beneficiaries.

On arrival Baroness Verma said:

“I am delighted to visit Bangladesh. Our countries have a strong relationship built up over the years and I want to see that become even stronger as Bangladesh flourishes and leads its own development.

“Over the next few days I want to meet people who are benefitting from the UK’s support and also those working hard to ensure our help reaches those who need it most.

“As the biggest bilateral donor in Bangladesh, our aim is to work with the people of Bangladesh to help transform the lives of the poorest, most vulnerable and most marginalised.

UK aid funded programmes in Bangladesh leave no one behind and it is crucial that we continue vital work on gender equality and women’s empowerment.”

Notes to editors

  • Baroness Verma was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for International Development on 13 May 2015. She is a Conservative member of the House of Lords.
  • In 2006 she was raised to the peerage as Baroness Verma of Leicester in the County of Leicestershire.
  • Prior to becoming Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for DECC, Baroness Verma was Spokesperson for Cabinet Office, International Development, Women and Equalities and Business Innovation and Skills.
  • Baroness Verma was born in Punjab, India, and moved to the UK with her parents when she was 1 year old. She lives in Leicester with her husband and has a daughter and a son.
Published 8 December 2015