Visiting US Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun on Thursday said the US considers Bangladesh as a key partner in its Indo-Pacific Strategy.
Addressing a briefing after his meeting with Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen in the capital, he also assured Dhaka of bigger US investment in coming days in Bangladesh, which he said drew global attention for its robust economic growth in recent times.
Terming his discussion with the Bangladesh foreign minister ‘very productive,’ Mr Stephen said issues related to bilateral trade, consular service, Rohingya crisis, post-Covid economic cooperation were the focus of their discussion.
“Bangladesh draws attention of the outside world for its long period of stability, sustained economic growth and geographical location,” he noted.
Responding to a question he said many US companies have shown interest in investing in Bangladesh, particularly in energy, ICT and pharmaceutical sectors.
The Bangladesh-US economic partnership committee formed recently would chalk out a detailed framework in exploring the areas through which the economic ties between the two countries could be deepened further, he pointed out.
According to Mr Stephen, skilled labour forces and large consumer base are other factors which encouraged global investors to be interested in Bangladesh.
He said that both the countries are in touch so that once successfully produced, the US-made Covid vaccines could be made available to Bangladesh.
Mr Stephen also said the US has given permission to open a new Bangladesh consulate in Miami considering the interests of Bangladeshi community in the USA.
On the Rohingya issue, Mr Stephen reiterated strong US position for permanent solution to the crisis.
“From the beginning, the US has been quite outspoken in restoration of rights of Rohingya people in Myanmar”.
“This is not the sole responsibility of Bangladesh, it is a global priority,” he added.
“All partners in the Indo-Pacific should speak with similar outspokenness to find out a permanent solution to the crisis”.
The two sides also discussed the issue of denial of student visas to Bangladeshi students in recent times.
On this issue the US Deputy Secretary said the problem will be solved very soon. He pointed out that due to limited manpower in the US Embassy in Dhaka and due to the closing of many educational institutions the process is being disrupted.
Addressing the briefing, Bangladesh foreign minister Dr Momen said Bangladesh sought investment from the US in energy, dredging and infrastructure sector and urged the country to tap the potentials of the blue economy.
“We have sought bigger infrastructure investment from the US in both government and private level for building infrastructure.”
“For example, they can invest in projects like Dhaka-Chattogram hi-speed train, dredging of rivers, river erosion because they have the expertise,” the minister said.
“On the issue of extradition of Rashed Chowdhury, killer of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the US official said that the asylum case of Mr Chowdhury was under review of the US Attorney General,” Dr Momen mentioned adding that Bangladesh government hoped a positive outcome in this regard.
The minister said that the issue of the US-led Indo-Pacific Strategy was not discussed in the meeting.
Responding to a question whether the US was looking Bangladesh in the eyes of India, the foreign minister said that Bangladesh is an independent and sovereign country and there is no question of such outlook from the USA.
