The US urged Bangladesh to reform labour rights laws to avail GSP and Development Finance Cooperation (DFC) fund, said Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen referring to his meeting with US Assistant Secretary Donald Lu on Sunday.
He said that Bangladesh could avail of several billion dollar funds of the DFC by following specific criteria like improving labour rights, the minister told the reporters after he met with the US Assistant Secretary.
In response, we told him that we had devised a roadmap for labour sector reform and we are committed to improving labour rights conditions, the minister said, adding that this will also help regain the US GSP facility.
When asked whether he had made any suggestions during the meeting, the US Assistant Secretary said, "We're Americans. We have lots of suggestions. One of the things that we were very proud of is our dialogue on labor rights issues such an important issue for Bangladeshi people for our trade relationship".
He said that in his meetings with Bangladeshi officials, he discussed the way forward that the US can cooperate to improve labour rights in this country.
"I am confident we're going to make progress this year."
Saying meetings with the foreign minister and the foreign secretary very honest and open,' Mr Lu
said that the US would always remain vocal on issues of democracy and human rights.
"The United States has committed democracy and human rights that we will speak when we see problems … when we can offer suggestions. We will stand up for freedom of speech and expression," Mr Lu said.
He also mentioned that the US look forward to working very closely with our partners here in Bangladesh.
Responding to a question on RAB sanction, he said, "We had quite good discussions about the RAB. If you've seen the statement this week by Human Rights Watch, they recognize, and we recognize tremendous progress in the area of reducing extrajudicial killings by the RAB."
"This is amazing work. It shows that the RAB is able to carry closely with our partners here in Bangladesh
out its important counterterrorism and law enforcement function while respecting human rights," he added.
About the discussion on the Indo-Pacific Strategy, the US Assistant Secretary said, "So we had a wonderful discussion about the Indo Pacific strategy. It's a strategy it's not a club you don't join. It's the United States expressing our desire to put more resources more attention to the Indo-Pacific, including right here to Bangladesh."
On the resumption of GSP for Bangladesh, he said, the generalized system of preferences is a trade advantage offered to many countries worldwide by the EU.
"The United States had offered it. We're still waiting for our Congress to authorize GSP for any countries, but we're working very closely with governments. So when it is authorized, the first country on the list will be Bangladesh," he added.
Foreign Minister Dr Momen said that during the poll discussion, Bangladesh told the US side that the government is committed to holding free and fair polls.
"We also told him that we are ready to take constructive suggestions and we will rectify if we find weaknesses in any issue".
He also informed me that withdrawing sanctions against RAB is a lengthy process.
About his discussion with Mr Lu, foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen said the US and Bangladesh relationship is multi-faceted and multi-dimensional based on solid foundations.
"Ever since his arrival. Assistant Secretary of State Mr. Donnell Lowe had a number of useful meetings. I also had a very frank and open discussion with him on all issues of mutual interest from trade to investment, labour rights, sanctions, human rights, democracy to development, as well as our views on the Indo Pacific" Both sides reached a consensus that like last year, US and Bangladesh will remain engaged to take forward our discussions on all these issues with time bound concrete goals, the foreign secretary said.
Both Bangladesh and the US would like to elevate their relations to a higher level through sincere efforts and to utilize all the avenues and existing mechanisms, said the foreign secretary.
US envoy Peter Haas was also present during the joint briefing.
Mr Donald Lu arrived here on Saturday and is scheduled to leave Dhaka on Sunday night.
