The Official BBPA Launch Party

Officially, the BBPA was launched on 22 November 1997 at the Bengal Clipper restaurant near Tower Bridge, London. In many ways, an appropriate venue. Located close to the wharf's where spices from Bengal were off loaded, starting a distinct historical relationship between Britain and Bengal. A couple of centuries later, the next generation of Bangladeshi's gathered to explore the beginnings of a more positive chapter in the relationship.

One hundred and fifty young Bangladesh's were present from the range of professions. The event was covered by Sunrise Radio.

	The inaugural speech by BBPA Chair Dr Hasneen Choudhury is available here
	The BBPA Launch was covered by Sunrise Radio. A transcript of the broadcast is available here.

The invited guests present at the dinner included

• Mr M A Malik - Deputy High Commissioner for Bangladesh

• Mr Abdul Gaffer Choudhury - Writer and journalist

• Dr Kabir Choudhury - Director of the Bangladesh-British Chamber of Commerce

• Mr Narinder Sarood - UK Anglo-Asian Conservative Society

• Councillor Mustaq Qureshi - Labour Party, City of Westminster

• Mr Simon Hughes MP - Liberal Democrat

• Lisa Aziz - Television presenter