The Portsmouth Bangladesh Business Association (PBBA) was launched with a lot of activity in 2019 and was the driving force behind the city’s first official trade, investment and education mission to the country. Twenty-six delegates traveled abroad to explore better ties and the visit culminated with the official signing of the Twin Cities Agreement between Portsmouth and Sylhet.
But the association’s annual general meeting learned this week that the Covid-19 pandemic has seriously curtailed opportunities to capitalize on this brilliant start.
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Instead, the PBBA focused its efforts on community activities – working with Pompey in the community to feed those in need, supporting students, and raising funds for the homeless.
But the association is now looking forward to a post-Covid – and post-Brexit – future and sunnier days to come, much like the blue skies and warm weather that greeted guests as they arrived for the meeting at the Gaiety. Bar on South Parade Pier. Monday.
Some of the association’s goals for 2022 include: Encouraging better communication between businesses and various local community groups; Find ways to encourage local businesses to buy from each other; Support female entrepreneurship; Lead another trade mission to Bangladesh; Develop ways to encourage companies to adopt more green policies and work towards net zero. Develop fundraising, education and awareness programs and offer support through workshops and trainings; Increase the number of active members.
President Raja Ali said: “We are always looking for help and I would ask everyone to get involved by joining one of the subcommittees or simply volunteering their time. Everyone has unique skills and talents that can be brought to the PBBA and encouraged to improve and grow the business to support our community. ‘
Looking out the windows at the city’s blue skies and sparkling seas, he added: “We do this because we believe in Portsmouth and we love Portsmouth. It’s our community.
