A YORKSHIRE-based sports engagement programme is beginning its second trip to Bangladesh today.

The Eden Project is aiming to explore opportunities in a number of sectors in the South Asian country, including business, education, healthcare, water and sanitation and sports.

The delegation team includes the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Shabir Hussain, and the former Mayor of Keighley, Fulzar Ahmed.

Also making the trip is Dr Manoj Joshi DL - who was recently appointed as the new chair of Bradford’s Economic Partnership – Councillor Ashraf Miah, Nigel Wood OBE, Humayun Islam BEM, Shahidur Rahman, Graham Swain, Bhavna Joshi, Dr Fereshteh Fallah, Saiful Islam (Shamim) and Ruhel Miah, amongst others.

The Eden Project’s previous delegation to Bangladesh was in February 2019, when the team included the former Lord Mayor of Bradford, the late Cllr Abid Hussain.

The delegation team has plans to visit the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, the Bangladesh Parliament in Dhaka and various locations in Sylhet.

There will be a number of official meetings with ministers, mayors, Rotary clubs and leading dignitaries.

Lord Mayor of Bradford, Cllr Shabir Hussain, said: "This is a great opportunity to strengthen existing links between Bradford and Bangladesh to leverage more business, sports and cultural benefits.

“I am delighted to be leading this civic delegation to Bangladesh.”

The Eden Project is a sports engagement programme which promotes the values of international sport engagement and sustainability supply chains.

It represents a number of organisations across the UK in providing information and practical solutions towards increased sustainability for the sports industry.

It is represented by a wealth of experience and expertise in the field of sport engagement, and one of its prime objectives is to expand the level of cooperation and contribute to the prosperous and responsible business relations.

The Bangladesh delegation is 100 per cent self-funded.

Cllr Ashraf Miah said: “On behalf of the Eden Project, we would like to thank Mr Kazi Ziaul Hasan, Bangladesh Assistant High Commissioner of Manchester, and his staff for exceptional support they have provided.”

Fulzar Ahmed added: “I am really pleased to announce that the Eden Project delegation team will be visiting Bangladesh for the second time.

“Bangladesh has an impressive track record of growth and poverty reduction. It has been among the fastest growing economies in the world over the past decade.

“I am looking forward to exploring opportunities.”