United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh and the United States (US) on Wednesday emphasised the importance of further strengthening bilateral economic relations by deepening communication and partnerships between the business communities of the two countries. A high-level US business delegation led by US-Bangladesh Business Council President Atul Keshap paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir at the Prime Minister’s Office and discussed the issues of mutual interest. During the meeting, they held detailed discussions on further strengthening bilateral trade and investment relations between Bangladesh and the United States, as well as expanding mutual economic cooperation and investment opportunities in Bangladesh. Adviser Kobir welcomed the delegation and said Bangladesh-US relations are long-standing and multidimensional. He said economic cooperation, including trade and investment, can play an important role in further strengthening the bilateral relationship. Highlighting existing opportunities and potential sectors for US investors in Bangladesh, Kobir said the government is committed to ensuring a business- and investment-friendly environment. He said Bangladesh is currently going through a crucial phase of economic transformation, creating new opportunities. The Adviser said, closer partnership with US businesses and investors can make a significant contribution to Bangladesh’s economic growth, job creation, and technology and knowledge exchange. Atul Keshap expressed interest in Bangladesh’s economic potential and investment opportunities, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He emphasised the need to further expand cooperation between the private sectors of Bangladesh and the United States and expressed the council’s interest in taking the business relationship between the two countries to new heights. They exchanged views on increasing trade and investment, cooperation in the industrial and infrastructure sectors, and opportunities for US investment in energy, technology, the digital economy, healthcare and other promising sectors. The business delegation from the United States is currently visiting Bangladesh to explore opportunities in a number of sectors including energy and technology.  

Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir on Saturday said Bangladesh wants cooperation and good working relations with India based on mutual respect despite the challenges that the relationship is facing. "We want cooperation with India, but it must be based on mutual respect. We should have a good working relationship with India," he said while responding to a question during a panel discussion. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam and Prime Minister’s Adviser on Education Mahdi Amin also spoke, with the discussion moderated by Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam. Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud, among others, spoke at the event. The Adviser said it is the norm of diplomacy to regularise working relationships within the neighborhood, and the government intends to do that. "You know, we've made a visit. We expect visits to Dhaka, and either way, we will build the visibility of a working relationship with India. We intend to do that. But the environment must be conducive to accommodating this approach." Adviser Humaiun Kobir said there are challenges in the relationship, and there has been a "tremendous deficit" in the relationship that they picked up over the last 15 years. "It was one way, and it was not done with the interests of the people of Bangladesh in mind," he said. He, however, said they remain positive, given the recent visit of Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman to New Delhi. Adviser Humaiun Kobir was part of the visit. The Adviser highlighted the positive mindset of the leadership of both countries, who are committed to moving forward and making progress. "We can do that. And it can be achievable. Of course, there are challenges. There are always challenges. When you have a terrorist who has fled from Bangladesh after killing one and a half thousand people, and who, to date, has shown no remorse and is trying to destabilise the country from over there, of course, there are challenges," Humaiun Kobir said.