Mayor of West Midlands, UK, Andy Street, has greeted Bangladesh on Victory Day.

"Today is Bangladesh's Victory Day, which celebrates 51 years since the country won its independence.

"I was lucky enough to make my first-ever visit to Bangladesh last month. Given the strength of the Bangladeshi diaspora in the West Midlands, it was a fantastic opportunity to learn more about one of the cultures that makes our region so great, whether with curry, commerce, clothing or cricket."

In his first visit to the independent South Asian nation, on November 14, the mayor met with local business, academic and political figures to reflect on the existing close ties between the West Midlands and Bangladesh and explore new trade, diplomatic and cultural opportunities.

He said one of the most reflective and poignant points of the trip was his visit to the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum to pay respects to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Father of the Nation, and also father of current prime minister, Sheikh Hasina.

"I was struck by Bangabandhu's moving quote: My greatest strength is the love for my people, my greatest weakness is that I love them too much'," he said.

As well as remembering the past, the mayor said, "We should look at the opportunities that Bangladesh's independence gives us for the future. It is remarkable to think that this surging 'Bengal Tiger Economy' is so young, but growing at over 6 percent a year, and poised to achieve so much over the coming decades. It has incredible potential as a partner for the United Kingdom, and for the West Midlands especially. We have a strong economic and cultural relationship with Bangladesh, which will only continue to flourish in the next few years."

During the three-day visit, the mayor, whose role involves serving as a global ambassador for the West Midlands, met with key business leaders from many of the big corporations that have a presence in Bangladesh as well as senior politicians, including the minister of foreign affairs and the mayors of Dhaka.

More than one in ten of the West Midlands population is of Bangladeshi heritage and the UK is the country's third biggest trading partner behind only the US and Germany.

One of the most important ties that bind the two countries are the amazing British Bengali community. Mayor Andy Street also visited Sylhet, where 90 percent of West Midlands' Bangladeshi diaspora trace their heritage.

And how could the trip have been complete without a fresh cup of tea at the Lackatoorah Tea Estate, one of the oldest in Bangladesh?

He ended with, "I wish Bangladesh and British Bangladeshis across the West Midlands a wonderful Victory Day today. Joi Bangla!"