US Embassy
US opens new commercial service office in Dhaka to boost trade ties
United States on Thursday (October 27, 2022) formally opened a new commercial service office at the US Embassy, which will play an important role in strengthening trade ties between the two countries.
US Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets and Director General of the US and Foreign Commercial Service Arun Venkataraman and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas announced the opening of the office.
“As the United States and Bangladesh celebrate 50 years of bilateral relations, it is an opportune moment to expand upon the strong foundation of our bilateral and commercial relationship,” said Venkataraman.
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“The new Commercial Service office here in Bangladesh will play an important role in strengthening trade ties between our countries, and how we support US companies doing business in such a dynamic and fast-growing economy. Trade between our two countries accounts for an estimated $10 billion, showcasing the vast existing and potential opportunities in this country.”
The US Department of Commerce will station a senior Foreign Commercial Service officer at the US Embassy in Dhaka to maximise US export opportunities and work collaboratively with Bangladesh to assist US companies considering entry into or expanding their presence in the Bangladeshi market.
The office will help facilitate one-on-one business counseling, provide tailored export expertise and information on the Bangladeshi market, and work to connect US businesses with potential Bangladeshi partners through business matchmaking and other services.
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The US Foreign Commercial Service is the export promotion arm of the International Trade Administration, a bureau of the US Department of Commerce.
The commercial service has an extensive global network consisting of 122 offices around the world and in over 100 US cities.
The new office in Dhaka will increase the number of international markets to 81. Across Asia, the wing will have a presence in 19 markets, including Bangladesh.
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The International Trade Administration (ITA) at the US Department of Commerce is the premier resource for American companies competing in the global marketplace.
ITA has more than 2,200 employees assisting US exporters in more than 100 US cities and 81 markets worldwide.
US Embassy’s University Fair on Sep 23: Bangladeshi students can talk to admission officials
The US Embassy – through its EducationUSA platform, in partnership with EdPrograms – will host a ‘US University Fair’ at the Renaissance Dhaka Gulshan Hotel on September 23.
Interested individuals can register by September 21, 2022: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GL5DTCB.
This fair is part of the Fall 2022 EdTour South Asia program, an initiative of EdPrograms that gives higher education institutions in United States a chance to meet prospective undergraduate and graduate students in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan.
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Officials from the following US universities will participate in the fair: DePaul University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Iowa State University, New York Institute of Technology, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Pace University, Quinnipiac University, Savannah College of Art and Design, Siena College, Stony Brook University, George Washington University, University of Delaware, University of Houston-Victoria, University of Kansas, University of Northern Iowa, University of South Dakota, and Western Kentucky University.
Students at the fair will have a unique opportunity to speak with US university admission officials face-to-face about admission requirements and scholarship opportunities. They will also receive tips on submitting a strong application. Additionally, the program will feature information sessions led by US Embassy officials and EducationUSA advisors about the F-1 student visa process and other topics related to the US higher education system.
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EducationUSA is the US Department of State’s network of over 425 international student advising centers in 178 countries. The network promotes US higher education to students around the world by offering accurate, comprehensive, and current information about opportunities to study at accredited institutions in the United States. EducationUSA also provides services to the US higher education community to help institutional leaders meet their recruitment and campus internationalization goals.
In Bangladesh, EducationUSA advising services and reference materials are available across the country at the American Center at the US Embassy in Dhaka, the Edward M. Kennedy Center for Public Service and the Arts in Dhanmondi, and virtually in Chittagong. EducationUSA reference libraries and remote advising services are also accessible in collaboration with the American Corners in Khulna, Sylhet, and Rajshahi. All EducationUSA services are free of charge.
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US flag flies at half-mast remembering 9/11, legacy of Queen Elizabeth II
The flag of the US Embassy in Dhaka has been kept at half-mast today (September 11) remembering the victims who died in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II.
“We remember the 2,996 victims who died in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001,” said the US Embassy in a message on Sunday.
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No matter how much time passes since that tragic event, the US Mission in Dhaka said, adding that they shall never forget them or the families that suffered such great loss.
The US Embassy also remembered the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II.
“We join people around the world in mourning her passing, and we will forever be inspired by the memory of her service, leadership, and friendship,” said the US Embassy.
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US Embassy hosts Youth Excellence on Stage Academy in Dhaka
To Celebrate 50 years of people-to-people ties between Bangladesh and the US, cultural diplomacy organisation American Voices and the US Embassy in Dhaka hosted a musical showcase at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) Thursday.
The event was organised to conclude a hip-hop workshop series led by award-winning American artists for Bangladeshi rappers, dancers, and producers.
From August 25 to September 1, the US Embassy hosted a delegation of four popular American hip-hop artists to lead a series of training for 54 rising Bangladeshi hip-hop stars.
The YES Academy workshops featured a "Dangerflow" band member and MC Angel "Ocean" Alvarado, award-winning hip-hop DJ Carl "DJ Invisible" Hollier, international b-boy champion Alex "BBoy El Nino" Diaz, and two-time finalist of NBC's "The SingOff," Richie "Robot" Steighner.
The Edward M Kennedy Center for Public Service and the Arts was the hosting venue of this eight-day intensive workshop, which concluded with a musical showcase, featuring enthralling performances of 54 talented Bangladeshi artists and four American instructors.
"The overall workshop has been a great experience for us. And as a new generation artist, I hope this type of event will foster the popularity of rap and hip-hop in Bangladesh," popular rapper Critical Mahmood told UNB.
"The YES Academy is a testament to the US government's commitment to promoting mutual understanding, creativity, and collaboration between cultural ambassadors in Bangladesh and the US," US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas said.
Launched in 2007, the YES Academy serves as American Voices' flagship cultural diplomacy programme aimed at providing high-quality training in some of America's greatest cultural artistic genres, such as hip-hop and breakdance, for youth around the world.
Also read: US Embassy celebrates 60th anniversary of English teaching forum
US expresses solidarity with victims of enforced disappearances, their families around world
The United States has said it stands in solidarity with victims of enforced disappearances and their families around the world, said the US Embassy here.
On the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, the US Embassy in Dhaka reiterated the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet’s call for greater scrutiny of allegations of enforced disappearances.
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After concluding her official visit to Bangladesh recently, Bachelet said, “I raised my deep concern about these serious allegations with Government ministers and highlighted the need for an impartial, independent, and transparent investigation into these allegations, accompanied by security sector reform."
Enforced disappearance has become a global problem and is not restricted to a specific region of the world, said the UN.
US Embassy celebrates 60th anniversary of English teaching forum
The US Embassy in Dhaka on Saturday organised a one-day conference at the National Academy for Educational Management (NAEM) to commemorate 60 years of English language teaching resources published by the US Department of State’s Office of English Language Programs English Teaching Forum magazine.
Established in 1962, the English Teaching Forum is a quarterly journal aimed at supporting English teachers and educators around the world through the publication of innovative and practical teaching tips.
The conference was the first in-person English teachers’ conference held in Bangladesh since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.
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Over 200 English teachers and educators across Bangladesh participated in the programme with the theme of “60 Years of Impact: From the Classroom to Community and Beyond.”
US Embassy Public Affairs Counselor Sean McIntosh, Secretary for Secondary and Higher Education Md. Abu Bakr Siddique, and NAEM Director General Md. Nizamul Karim inaugurated the conference.
The conference included interactive workshops, presentations, and panel discussions on teaching strategies, curriculum development design, and utilizing digital tools to improve the quality of classroom engagement.
US English Language Specialist, Dr Lawrence N Berlin, delivered a plenary presentation on the second phase of a six-month-long project to assist with modernizing a critical English language course for 1,120 secondary and higher secondary English teachers.
Launched in January 2022, Dr Berlin began remotely working with NAEM over the span of three-months to support English educators in identifying gaps in curriculum design.
Funding from the US Agency for International Development and a partnership with the University of Chicago helped establish NAEM in 1959.
Since 2004, 1,300 Bangladeshi students have participated in the English Access Microscholarship programme aimed at providing talented students with after-school classes and intensive sessions to improve their English language skills.
Also read: US Embassy pays tributes to Bangabandhu
2022 marks the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-US people-to-people ties as well as the resumption of in-person English Language Specialists and Fellows programs in Bangladesh.
In October 2022, two English Language Fellows will join BRAC University and North South University to support the improvement of the quality of English teaching and learning.
US Embassy mourns August 21 victims
The US Embassy in Dhaka has mourned the victims of the 2004 grenade attack on August 21 that killed 24 people and injured over 300 others, including the then opposition leader Sheikh Hasina.
"We convey our deepest condolences to the families of the victims of the grenade attacks that occurred on August 21, 2004," the mission said Sunday.
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In response to these attacks, former US Secretary of State Colin Powell condemned political violence and killing in the strongest terms.
"His statement holds true today. We condemn all forms of political violence," The US Embassy said.
US Embassy pays tributes to Bangabandhu
The US Embassy in Dhaka on Monday paid tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
"On the 47th anniversary of the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Father of the Nation, the U.S. Embassy remembers his extraordinary life," said the Embassy.
Bangabandhu was one of the very first Bangladeshis to travel to the United States on the prestigious International Visitor Leadership Program.
"We mourn this great loss," said the Embassy.
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US embassy holds “Super Friday” to help meet huge demand for student visa interviews
The US Embassy in Dhaka interviewed over 600 students applying for nonimmigrant student visas in a special workday called “Super Friday.”
“We recognize the unique opportunity that study in the United States offers,” said U.S. Embassy Consul General William Dowers, adding that they are prioritizing student visa interviews.
The US embassy plans to have another “Super Friday” on July 29, 2022 and this is part of a campaign to allow the Embassy to meet high demand for such visas, said the embassy on Friday.
Although the global COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted international educational exchange and student mobility around the world, the US embassy in Dhaka has resumed regular consular services and is making special efforts to ensure as many students as possible receive interviews before the start of the fall semester.
These special efforts include spending selected Fridays dedicated to interviewing applicants for student visas.
The United States remains a popular destination for higher education.
During the 2020-2021 academic year, it welcomed over 914,000 international students from over 200 places of origin.
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International students build life-long connections with American peers to maintain and grow America’s international partnerships and to collectively address current and future global challenges.
In the last decade, the number of Bangladeshi students in the United States has nearly tripled, to over 8,500.
According to the 2021 Institute of International Education Open Doors report, Bangladesh currently ranks 14th among the top-sending countries of students to America from around the world—moving up three places from 17th place during the 2019-2020 academic year.
The United States has been open and welcoming to international students throughout the pandemic.
US colleges and universities have implemented different procedures to safely welcome international students in person, online, and via hybrid learning methods, providing opportunities and resources to students during a global crisis.
These exemplify the US government’s commitment to international student mobility and global higher education.
People should be free in every country to promote HR without fear of retaliation: US Embassy
Reiterating that no democracy is perfect, the United States has said the rule of law, free and fair elections, freedom of expression, and freedom of the press are cornerstones of a healthy democracy and the right of all.
People should be free in every country to promote human rights without fear of retaliation, said the US Embassy in Dhaka on Saturday in a media note.
Whether heading to the polls to vote, exposing corruption, documenting human rights abuses, or peacefully rallying around a common cause, people and non-governmental organizations everywhere bring to life and defend the basic tenets of democracy every day, reads the media note.
It is this conviction about the critical role of citizens and a pluralistic civil society that is the impetus behind the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, said the Embassy.
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Adopted by consensus of the General Assembly in 1998, the Declaration states that “everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to promote and strive for the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international levels.”
As US President Joe Biden has stated, “No democracy is perfect, and no democracy is ever final. Every gain made, every barrier broken, is the result of determined, unceasing work.”