Bangladesh and the United Kingdom (UK) have agreed that trade is an important tool in tackling poverty, and that increasing bilateral trade could bring significant benefits to both countries, reports UNB.

Both sides affirmed their strong commitment to the implementation of the agenda for sustainable development including Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The issues were discussed at the second Strategic Dialogue held at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London on Thursday, said the Foreign Ministry here on Friday.

The dialogue involved a fruitful exchange of views on political and bilateral issues, economic and development cooperation, security and defence cooperation, and exchanges on current global issues, including the Rohingya crisis.

The UK commended Bangladesh for hosting over one million forcibly displaced Burmese nationals.

Bangladesh welcomed the UK assurance that it remains committed to keeping the international spotlight on the Rohingya crisis, and to supporting Bangladesh in its humanitarian response and the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of the Rohingya to Myanmar.

Permanent Under-Secretary of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Sir Simon McDonald, and his Bangladesh counterpart Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque led their respective sides in the meeting.

Both sides underscored the importance of an exchange of visits and interactions at the highest political level, including the visit of the UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to Bangladesh in February 2018.

Both sides briefed on their countries political developments domestically and internationally.

The UK restated its commitment to maintain a high quality service for Bangladeshi nationals at the visa application centres in Dhaka and Sylhet.

The UK looked forward to early implementation of the Cross-Border Higher Education Rules which will allow UK universities to operate in Bangladesh.