British High Commissioner Robert Chatterton Dixon said foreign investment could be hampered if the upcoming 2023 national election is not fair.
He made the remarks at the Meet the Reporters program at the Nasrul Hamid Auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) on Sunday (February 13).
Robert Dixon said that all the friends of Bangladesh want to see free, fair and impartial elections. The United Kingdom wants transparent democracy to be established in Bangladesh. This is what is expected even in elections so that it can take place in a fearless environment.
He said Bangladesh-UK relations are deep in terms of economic, political environment and military. The United Kingdom is the 3rd largest export market and the 2nd largest investor in Bangladesh. This relationship has the potential to spread far and wide.
He further said that in future Bangladesh will be given the facility to export duty free products. There is great potential for economic development in the Indo-Pacific region, so that Bangladesh can play an important role. Bangladesh will further improve its economy.
The High Commissioner said that investors also expect transparent democracy and fair elections here because, if this is ensured, a stable environment is maintained. Investors in the UK have always wanted a democratic government.
Praising the 1972 constitution of Bangladesh, he said it is a constitution suitable for democracy. As a friend of Bangladesh, the United Kingdom expects free and fair elections because the practice of democracy is very important to maintain the trend of development. At the same time, there should be a proper investigation into the human rights situation, extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.
The function was presided over by DRU President Nazrul Islam Mithu and was moderated by General Secretary Nurul Islam Hasib. DRU executive members were present in the function.