โ˜• Support Us โ˜•
[๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฉ] - The U.S.A.---A Strategic Partner of Bangladesh | Page 6 | PKDefense

[๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฉ] The U.S.A.---A Strategic Partner of Bangladesh

Reply (Scroll)
Press space to scroll through posts
G Bangladesh Defense
[๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฉ] The U.S.A.---A Strategic Partner of Bangladesh
123
6K
More threads by Saif


Washington to work closely with Dhaka
US envoy tells Yunus

Washington will closely work with the interim government, especially regarding health, education, labour, governance, and the Rohingya issues, said US Embassy Charge D'Affaires in Dhaka Helen LaFave.

She made the remarks while paying a courtesy call to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka.

"The US government is happy to congratulate the chief adviser and is looking forward to working closely together," according to a statement of the US charge d'affaires.

She said Washington will support the interim government of Bangladesh and strengthen ties with Dhaka on a range of issues.

The US embassy in Dhaka will resume its consular service this week to expedite visa processing, she said, adding that thousands of Bangladeshi students now study in US universities.

The US has started resettling Rohingya to the US, and Helen LaFave hoped the process would be expedited.

The US is the largest contributor to the Rohingya humanitarian responses, and the amount of monthly food aid for the Rohingya has increased this year after more US funding, she said.

Yunus thanked the US for supporting Bangladesh, including its continued funding for more than one million Rohingya in Bangladesh.

Prof Yunus called for a "combined" effort and "a common platform" among the donors for flood response in Bangladesh.

Helen LaFave raised some concerns over labour and minority issues in Bangladesh, especially in the aftermath of the ouster of the Awami League regime.

Prof Yunus said every citizen in the country is "protected by the constitution" and the interim government is committed to upholding the human rights of all citizens.

Human rights issues, cyber security laws, and the Rapid Action Battalion also came up during the talks.

LaFave said Washington was trying to help Bangladesh set up a prosecutorial service to ensure fair trials in the country.

Meanwhile, UN Refugee Agency Chief Filippo Grandi congratulated Prof Yunus over a call on his assumption as head of the government.

He said Dr Yunus has taken up "an incredible task" to rebuild Bangladesh.

They discussed the Rohingya issue, including about thousands of people who have been displaced by the ongoing conflict in Myanmar's Rakhine state.

Yunus asked for UNHCR's support for the dignified and voluntary return of more than one million Rohingya people to Myanmar.

He also sought assistance from the UN refugee agency to build a better future for young Rohingya children who are growing up in the Bangladesh camps.

Grandi requested the chief adviser to attend a meeting on the Rohingya crisis on the sidelines of the upcoming UNGA in New York.

He also informed that he plans to visit Bangladesh in October this year.​
 

Donald Lu to visit India, Bangladesh 10-16 September
Diplomatic Correspondent Dhaka
Published: 10 Sep 2024, 22: 40

1726020894272.png

Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald LuReuters file photo

A delegation of the US is set to visit Bangladesh to discuss what kind of support the country could provide on economic growth, financial stability and development needs to the interim government.

The US State Department disclosed this in a media note Tuesday.

The State Department said Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu will travel to India and Bangladesh from 10 to 16 September.

โ€œThroughout his trip, Assistant Secretary Lu will reaffirm the United Statesโ€™ commitment to supporting our partnersโ€™ economic growth and promoting stability throughout the Indo-Pacific region,โ€ the media note added.

Donald Lu will travel to New Delhi, where he will highlight US-India cooperation to promote development, security, and womenโ€™s economic security at the India Ideas Summit, hosted by the US-India Business Council.

He will also co-chair the 8th US-India 2+2 intersessional dialogue, alongside US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Jedidiah P. Royal and counterparts from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and Indian Ministry of Defense.

The Dialogue will identify opportunities to enhance the US-India bilateral partnership, including defence cooperation, and expand US-India collaboration in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

In Dhaka, Donald Lu will join an interagency delegation for meetings with the interim government of Bangladesh.

The delegation will include representatives from the US Department of the Treasury, USAID, and Office of the US Trade Representative.

The US and Bangladeshi officials will discuss how the United States can support Bangladeshโ€™s economic growth, financial stability and development needs.​
 

US delegation's upcoming visit
Published :
Sep 12, 2024 22:14
Updated :
Sep 12, 2024 22:14

1726191660255.png


Since the interim government assumed office, the first foreign delegation set to visit Bangladesh -- a high-profile one at that -- will be a US inter-agency team on September 14-15. According to media reports that cited top sources in Washington, the US delegation wants to initiate economic discussions with Bangladesh, intended to support one of the world's largest garment-exporting nations. This, again, is to strengthen its economy during a particularly challenging period.

The delegation will be led by the US Treasury Department and will include officials from various key agencies, such as the State Department, the US Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Office of the US Trade Representative. Brent Neiman, US Assistant Treasury Secretary for International Finance, has expressed optimism about Bangladesh's efforts to implement essential economic reforms, emphasising that the US hopes Bangladesh will address its economic vulnerabilities and lay a solid foundation for sustained growth and enhanced prosperity. He also highlighted Washington's intention to underscore its support for Bangladesh's ongoing collaboration with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other global financial institutions for enhanced economic growth by facilitating financial-sector reforms and improving fiscal sustainability. The discussions with the US team are expected to cover fiscal and monetary policy, as well as the health of the financial system.

Besides the issues that have surfaced lately in the country following the fall of the former government, about which the interim government is particularly concerned, there exist longstanding trade and commerce-related issues with the US that need to be resolved and eased. The scrapping of GSP by the US on some Bangladeshi products years ago is one to start with. Although the products are small in number, lifting of the embargo will surely demonstrate goodwill for bilateral trade. The US being the single largest export destination of Bangladesh's readymade garments, keeping up the export momentum is crucial not only for export but equally importantly for the nearly four million people employed in the sector. To make the process smooth, there is the need for easing procurement protocols that occasionally disrupt the export chain. Labour rights issues were a subject of concern for exports in the past. With things better placed now, including workplace environment, the Bangladesh side may seek support of the US while assuring the delegation of actions required for addressing the remaining irritants. Restoring the dismal financial and banking sector, rendered so by defaulted loans and money laundering, may figure as an important issue for discussion. Bangladesh side may seek US help in bringing back the laundered money by creating a mechanism involving international agencies. In the wake of the depleting foreign exchange reserves, Bangladesh may also seek US support in its engagements with the IMF and other international financial organisations. Currently, the interim government is in the process of negotiating a credit deal with the IMF.

The upcoming visit of the US delegation is expected to create a regular forum for discussion on economic matters from time to time with the prospect of opening up avenues for cooperation to the mutual benefit of both countries.​
 
Partner is not a correct word. In which area will US will have partnership with BD? US want some strategic location in bay of Bengal to keep an eye on China. BD may provide some land facing bay of Bengal to get some aid in exchange. This arrangement can last till US requires that land. Once that requirement cease to exit, any sort of relationship will go in cold box.
 
Partner is not a correct word. In which area will US will have partnership with BD? US want some strategic location in bay of Bengal to keep an eye on China. BD may provide some land facing bay of Bengal to get some aid in exchange. This arrangement can last till US requires that land. Once that requirement cease to exit, any sort of relationship will go in cold box.

The same comments apply to India as well.

Many in Indian media are saying that the ouster of Hasina was a US plot.

Modi thinking that he was so important that he can meddle in Bangladesh, has been proven quite wrong now.

Next on US agenda is independence of Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur if not all seven sisters. Without any approval of India, I might add.

Americans throw India a few favors in terms of Backoffice business and Indian politicians start thinking they matter in geopolitics. A fool's errand.
 

Financial Aid Key Agenda: US delegation led by LU arrives on Saturday
UNB
Published :
Sep 13, 2024 19:50
Updated :
Sep 13, 2024 20:03

1726273567013.png


US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu

Bangladesh will discuss issues related to financial and development assistance, with the high level US delegation led by Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu.

The delegation, which is scheduled to arrive on Saturday, will include representatives from the US Department of the Treasury, USAID, and Office of the US Trade Representative.

This will be the 5th Dhaka visit of Donald Lu, who is well-known as a key player in the geopolitical stage of South Asia.

He made his last visit to Dhaka in May amid tension between the US and the recently toppled Bangladesh government led by Sheikh Hasina.

US and Bangladeshi officials will discuss how the United States can support Bangladeshโ€™s economic growth, financial stability and development needs, a spokesperson of the State Department said.

Commenting on the visit foreign affairs adviser Touhid Hossain said that Bangladesh will seek US assistance during the discussion but the forms of the assistance will be determined by the finance ministry.

The delegation will meet foreign adviser, finance adviser and will also call on the chief adviser, officials said.

The composition of the delegation reflects the importance of the visit, said foreign secretary Jasim Uddin.

The foreign secretary will led the Bangladesh side in the bilateral meeting between the two countries.

The US Treasury delegation will meet separately with concerned departments of Bangladesh.

Mr Lu, who will arrive in Dhaka from Delhi, will leave for home on Monday but the treasury delegation will stay sometimes more, officials said.​
 

US pvt sector can boost Bangladeshโ€™s growth: embassy
United News of Bangladesh . Dhaka 14 September, 2024, 17:20

1726358886389.png

Assistant secretary for international finance at the US Department of the Treasury Brent Neiman, US Treasury Department director Jerrod Mason, US Embassy Dhaka chargรฉ dโ€™affaires (ad interim) Helen LaFave, American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh president Syed Ershad Ahmed and vice-president Eric M Walker, among others, are present at a meeting at a hotel in the capital Dhaka on Saturday. | Focus Bangla photo

American private sector can help unlock Bangladeshโ€™s growth potential through trade and investment with the right economic reforms in place, said the US embassy in Dhaka on Saturday.

From energy security to data centres to transportation, US businesses play a positive role in many facets of Bangladeshโ€™s economy, said the embassy after a trade and investment related discussion.

Assistant secretary for international finance at the US Department of the Treasury Brent Neiman, US Treasury Department director Jerrod Mason, chargรฉ dโ€™affaires (ad interim), US Embassy Dhaka Helen LaFave, political/economic counsellor, US Embassy Dhaka Eric Geelan and mission director, US Agency for International Development Reed Aeschliman, joined the meeting representing the US side.

American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh president Syed Ershad Ahmed, vice-president Eric M Walker, MetLife in Bangladesh chief executive officer Ala Uddin Ahmad, country manager of Mastercard Syed Mohammad Kamal and country manager of GE Nowshad Ali were also present, a meeting source told UNB.

Earlier on Saturday morning, US assistant secretary Brent Neiman arrived in Dhaka to lead a US delegation to discuss issues pertaining to bilateral relations.

He was received at the airport by Khandker Masudul Alam, DG (North America) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dhaka.

Bangladesh looks forward to have a โ€˜multi-dimensionalโ€™ discussion as it welcomed the first US delegation after the formation of the interim government led by chief adviser Muhammad Yunus on August 8.

โ€˜The arrival of the first team of the United States (during this tenure) is a great reflection of the importance they attach to the relationship with Bangladesh. This implies that this discussion will be multi-dimensional; it will not be limited to just one topic,โ€™ said foreign secretary Md Jashim Uddin on Thursday.

The US delegation will meet chief adviser Muhammad Yunus on Sunday morning, a senior official told UNB. They will also meet foreign affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain and finance adviser Salehuddin Ahmed apart from their other engagement.

Foreign secretary Jashim will host a working lunch where representatives from the relevant ministries will attend.

โ€˜US and Bangladeshi officials will discuss how the United States can support Bangladeshโ€™s economic growth, financial stability, and development needs,โ€™ a spokesperson at the US Department of State said.

โ€˜I donโ€™t want to make any kind of comments before the discussion starts, which would undermine the normality of the discussion,โ€™ said the foreign secretary when asked about the specific agenda.

US assistant secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian affairs Donald Lu, who is now visiting New Delhi, will travel to Bangladesh soon as part of the delegation.

Responding to a question, foreign secretary Jashim said that the government wanted to move to a mutually beneficial relationship with everyone.

The people of Bangladesh have historically had an interest in international affairs, he added.

Throughout his trip, assistant secretary Lu will reaffirm the United Statesโ€™ commitment to supporting โ€˜our partnersโ€™ economic growth and promoting stability throughout the Indo-Pacific region.โ€™

In Dhaka, Lu will join an interagency delegation for meetings with the Bangladeshi interim government.

The senior-level US delegation will discuss ways with the interim government to take forward the relations between the two countries in a changed political scenario.

Any visit by the US delegation is always important, foreign affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The foreign affairs adviser said that they would discuss issues which were achievable and stressed that US visa policy would not affect the relations between the two countries.​
 

BD, US to sign agreement during visit of US treasury delegation
Undersecretary Neiman, Asst Secretary Lu in Dhaka

1726360001219.png

FE ONLINE REPORT
Published :
Sep 14, 2024 20:26
Updated :
Sep 14, 2024 20:26

Bangladesh and the US will sign a Development Objective Agreement during the visit of the US high level delegation. foreign ministry sources said.

The US delegation which will hold talks with various government departments on financial and development support issues arrived in the morning on Saturday.

Brent Neiman, deputy under secretary for International Finance at the Department of the Treasury is leading this team, which also includes representatives from the US Department of the Treasury, USAID, and the Office of the US Trade Representative.

US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu, arrived in Dhaka yesterday afternoon, following his three-day visit to India. He will be with the delegation till Sunday.

They had a meeting with a Bangladesh business delegation in the afternoon.

โ€œFrom energy security to data centers to transportation, US businesses play a positive role in many facets of Bangladeshโ€™s economy! With the right economic reforms in place, the American private sector can help unlock Bangladeshโ€™s growth potential through trade and investmentโ€ a spokesperson of the US Embassy said after the meeting.

A US Department of State spokesperson stated that discussions will focus on how the United States can support Bangladeshโ€™s economic growth, financial stability, and development needs.

This is the first visit by any US delegation to Dhaka since the interim government, led by Prof Muhammad Yunus, took charge after the fall of the Awami League government.

Bangladesh will discuss issues related to financial and development assistance, with the high level US delegation led by Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu.

Commenting on the visit foreign affairs adviser Touhid Hossain said that Bangladesh will seek US assistance during the discussion but the forms of the assistance will be determined by the finance ministry.

The foreign secretary will led the Bangladesh side in the bilateral meeting between the two countries.

The US Treasury delegation will meet separately with concerned departments of Bangladesh.​
 
The United States is providing $200 million in aid to the priority sectors of the interim government for the development of Bangladesh. Anjali Kaur, Deputy Assistant Administrator of the United States International Aid Agency-USAID, announced this payment under the development cooperation agreement at Rashtriya (National) Guest House Padma on September 15.

 

US support for trade and investment
Published :
Sep 17, 2024 22:12
Updated :
Sep 17, 2024 22:12

1726620223362.png

Flags of Bangladesh and the United States are seen cross-pinned in this photo symbolising friendship between the two nations

As the first ever visit by any foreign diplomats to Bangladesh following the political changeover at its helm, a high-powered multi-agency U.S. delegation met the leaders of the interim government headed by Chief Adviser Dr Yunus on September 15 last. Considering the composition of the visiting delegation which included the Deputy Under Secretary for International Finance and Development at the US Treasury Department, Brent Neiman, and the Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asia, Donald Lu, it is plain that the US wants to see the interim government of Bangladesh succeed and prosper. Small wonder that the USAID (US agency for foreign aid) promptly responded to the CA's request to the US government for financial assistance by extending a grant of over US$200 million to carry through its (interim government's) development agenda that include development, youth empowerment, strengthening democracy and governance. The agreement clearly highlights the interim government's development focus which prioritises inclusive growth and prosperity for all. This undoubtedly is a good augury for the weeks-old interim government of Bangladesh.

As the interim government has inherited all the social and economic ills left by the fallen government, which, while discussing with the US delegates, the CA termed an 'ocean of corruption', the enormous challenges facing this administration cannot be overstated. Needless to say, the interim government sought US support for carrying out the reforms of the judiciary, the police, the civil administration, anti-corruption commission, and the effort to retrieve the country's stolen assets from abroad. However, these are all internal issues that need urgent addressing to pave the way for establishing good governance. Bangladesh can amply benefit from the US's centuries old rich experience in this regard. For instance, in getting back the money siphoned off from the country to the US, Canada and different European destinations, the US support can play a critical role.

The deliverability of these efforts at various reforms and recovering stolen assets from abroad will certainly see a qualitative improvement with external technical support. But the most important issue that remains to be addressed is repatriation of more than a million Rohingya refugees to their ancestral homeland in the Rakhine state of Myanmar. Notably, these victims of genocide in neighbouring Myanmar escaped with their lives to Bangladesh. It may be recalled that the first phase of the ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya population began in October 2016 and continued till January 2017, while the second phase started in August 2017 and has been continuing sporadically since. As a consequence, no repatriation effort succeeded so far. Worse yet, fresh waves of Rohingya are entering Bangladesh from time to time. This is too much for Bangladesh's fragile economy to sustain. Bangladesh's development partners including the US should help Bangladesh in resolving the festering Rohingya repatriation issue. Hopefully, Dr Yunus with his global acceptability, especially in the US, may use his goodwill to find a lasting solution to the problem.

Various reform agenda aside, the most important support Bangladesh can have from the US is for trade and investment. In this connection, Bangladesh should try to get zero-tariff access for all its exports to the USA. At the same time, more investment from US entrepreneurs in the country's major sectors particularly the energy and IT can contribute significantly to the country's economic growth.​
 

Members Online

Latest Posts

Latest Posts