Anne Main MP elected chairman on Britain-Bangladesh All-Party Parliamentary Group

Anne Main comments on her election as Chairman of the Britain-Bangladesh All-Party Parliamentary Group.

Commenting on her election as Chairman of the Britain-Bangladesh All-Party Parliamentary Group today (Thursday 19th November), Anne Main, MP for St Albans, said:

"I am delighted to be given the opportunity to serve as chairman on this important all party group. I would like to thank outgoing chairman, Baroness Uddin, for all she has done for the group during her time as chairman, and I hope she will continue to play a key role in the group.

Moving forward, I hope to expand the work of the group, and attract speakers with a range of expertise on all aspects of Bangladeshi Affairs and relations between Britain and Bangladesh. I have spoken with the Bangladeshi High Commissioner and he has confirmed he will be happy to keep the group informed about the situation in Bangladesh, particularly in relation to climate change issues, infrastructure and development, and the use of overseas aid.

I hope to be able to engage the broadest possible range of participants in the group and I would invite any group or individual within the UK Bangladesh Community to contact me as Chairman to raise any concerns or issues they would like the group to discuss or consider. I would like to foster a greater focus on the issues affecting British Bangladeshis including training, issues around educational outcomes, health and social deprivation.

The Bengali community contributes enormously to the prosperity and diversity of Great Britain, and we know for example that the curry industry alone contributes around £3bn."