Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen
Bangladesh seeks diversified investment from US
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Monday encouraged US businesses to diversify their investments in Bangladesh beyond the energy sector.
Talking to reporters at the Foreign Service Academy, Momen noted the current US investment in Bangladesh is concentrated in the energy sector.
He said there are many potential areas where Bangladesh seeks foreign investment.
A delegation from the US, members of the US-Bangladesh Business Council, is visiting Bangladesh until May 11 to explore economic opportunities between the two countries.
Over 27 executives from across sectors like digital, energy, financial services, insurance, and agriculture are part of the business delegation.
Also read: No chance of Chinese debt trap: FM
The delegation met Momen at Foreign Service Academy on Monday afternoon.
The Foreign Minister noted that the US has a strong investment presence in Bangladesh in the traditional sectors such as energy, oil, gas, and mineral resources.
He stressed that there is a huge scope for the US investors to diversify their investment portfolio and funds, to invest in the emerging areas such as but not limited to, agro-processing, automobiles, shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, information and communication technology and the blue economy.
The US business leaders appreciated the economic stride made by Bangladesh.
Muhith’s dua mahfil Saturday
A Dua Mahfil for salvation of the departed soul of former Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith will be held at Gulshan(Azad) mosque in the city on Saturday.
The dua mahfil will be held after Asr prayer, confirmed Muhith’s younger brother Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen.
Also read:Tearful adieu to AMA Muhith
Momen also requested the relatives and well-wishers to join the prayer session.
Muhith was a language movement veteran and valiant freedom fighter. He was elected Member of Parliament from Sylhet-1 constituency.
He, as finance minister of the Awami League government, presented the budget in parliament for 10 years at a stretch.
It was during his tenure that the size of the budget expanded.
Also read: Muhith: A gifted economist who was a prolific writer!
Muhith passed away in the wee hours April 30 in Dhaka after a prolonged illness at age of 88. He was laid to rest in his family graveyard at Rainagar in Sylhet.
He left behind his wife Sabia Muhith, daughter Samina, sons Shahed and Samir, and many family members, friends and well-wishers.
Bangladesh provides medical assistance to Sri Lanka
Noting that every country is facing challenges of its own in varied degrees, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Thursday said mutual collaboration is much more essential than ever before in this trying time.
The dual impacts of Covid-19 pandemic, its resultant supply-chain disruption and the war between Russia and Ukraine have distorted the global economy, he said.
The foreign minister made the remarks while handing over medical assistance to Sri Lanka at a function held at State guesthouse Padma.
Also read: A political reckoning in Sri Lanka as debt crisis grows
"We also stand ready to extend further support to Sri Lanka in all possible ways we can," he said.
Bangladesh decided to send a significant quantity of medical supplies worth Tk 20 crores to Sri Lanka as a goodwill gesture.
Foreign Minister Momen and Health Minister Zahid Maleque handed over few boxes of medicine as a token to the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Prof. Sudharshan D.S. Seneviratne.
Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary) Masud Bin Momen and President of Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceuticals Industries (BAPI) Nazmul Hassan, MP, among others, were present.
As a friend and close neighbour, Momen said, it is also Bangladesh's privilege to stand by Sri Lanka in whatever way it can, during times of crisis.
"This is yet another demonstration that the trajectory of our bilateral relations is in the right direction," he said.
The foreign minister said this medical assistance by the government of Bangladesh to the friendly people of Sri Lanka is the expression of solidarity and friendship between the two nations when they are celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations this year.
Over the last 50 years, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka as South Asian neighbours have been maintaining close cooperation.
"Our two countries enjoy common historical legacy, shared culture and values, similar developmental aspirations, and face identical challenges," Momen said.
He said Bangladesh appreciates the value of good relations with Sri Lanka and understands the importance of making it even more fruitful and tangible.
"Our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was an epitome of humanity and love for the people. Our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, able daughter of Bangabandhu is carrying his legacy which often transcends geographical boundaries," Momen said.
Rohingya Repatriation: FM seeks US lawmakers’ role
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has requested the US lawmakers to persuade Myanmar in all possible ways to create a safe environment in Rakhine State and take back all the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals, temporarily staying in Bangladesh, to their homeland.
Foreign Minister Momen held meetings with Senator Jon Ossoff (Democrat-Georgia); and Congressman Ami Bera (Democrat-California), the Chairman of the House, Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation.
The meetings were held on Wednesday in Washington D.C at the respective offices of the Senator and the Congressman at the US Capital.
Dhaka reiterates calls for killer Rashed Chy’s deportation
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has reiterated Bangladesh’s call for deportation of Rashed Chowdhury, one of the convicted killers of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, now residing in the US.
On Tuesday morning, Foreign Minister Momen met Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), the Majority Leader of the US Senate.
Also read:Will be happy if sanctions on Rab withdrawn: FM
During the meeting, he raised the issue of the return of killer Rashed Chowdhury and sought the Senate Majority Leader’s assistance in this regard.
Momen also called for increased trade and investment of the US in Bangladesh. He also proposed to the Senator to revitalize the Bangladesh caucus.
The Foreign Minister also spoke with a number of think tanks in Washington DC and reiterated Bangladesh’s willingness to build close partnership with the United States.
Will be happy if sanctions on Rab withdrawn: FM
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has said Bangladesh will be happy if the United States withdraws the sanctions imposed on the elite force Rab, reiterating that it was “inappropriate and unjustified.”
“It’s up to them (US) to look into and to reexamine,” he said, adding that the Rab as an institution is doing an excellent job.
Also read: RAB's importance to counterterrorism recognised but lifting sanctions to take time: Blinken
The foreign minister feared resumption of radicalism due to sanctions imposed on the Rab and wanted to know who will take the blame if there is an increasing number of human trafficking, drug trafficking and resumption of radicalism.
“This is an important issue. We should look beyond. I raised it in every meeting. I personally feel it’s (sanctions) inappropriate and unjustified,” Momen said at a programme titled “A conversation with Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister” on the lessons learned from the last 50 years and the path ahead for US-Bangladesh relations hosted by United States Institute of Peace (USIP) on Tuesday.
President and CEO of the USIP Lise Grande delivered opening remarks at the event moderated by Ambassador Teresita Schaffer.
The FM said there is no more terrorism and radicalism in the country and gave credit to the Rab for the achievement. “Rab has achieved public acknowledgment.”
Earlier, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken recognized the elite force RAB's important counterterrorism role but stated that lifting sanctions and resuming training might take time.
Also read:PM blames a vested Bangladesh group for US sanctions on RAB
During his recent meeting with Blinken, Foreign Minister Momen emphasized that Bangladeshi law enforcers need training from the US on rules of engagements, and informed that there is an inbuilt system of inquiry in the Rab, which tracks all allegations; and number of personnel have been penalized.
Depicting the context of the creation of Rab in 2004, he underscored that the force has played pivotal role in Bangladesh’s counter-terrorism efforts; which may be undermined by the sanctions.
National interests drive Bangladesh's foreign policy: Momen
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, now in Washington, has explained Bangladesh’s engagements with India and China noting that Bangladesh’s foreign policy, like the US one, is all about national interests.
He also shared historical background shedding light on the two different roles that India and China played during the War of Liberation in 1971.
The foreign minister answered a number of questions at a programme titled “A conversation with Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister” on the lessons learned from the last 50 years and the path ahead for US-Bangladesh relations hosted by United States Institute of Peace (USIP) on Tuesday.
President and CEO of the USIP Lise Grande delivered opening remarks at the event moderated by Ambassador Teresita Schaffer.
As the Biden administration implements its Indo-Pacific strategy, Bangladesh’s relationships with neighbouring India and China suggest that it will draw increasing interest from US policymakers, according to USIP.
“We’ve rock-solid relations with India,” Momen said, adding that Bangladesh can never forget the support of India and its people during the 1971 War of Liberation.
Also read:RAB's importance to counterterrorism recognised but lifting sanctions to take time: Blinken
RAB's importance to counterterrorism recognised but lifting sanctions to take time: Blinken
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has recognized the elite force RAB's important counterterrorism role, but stated that lifting sanctions and resuming training with American forces may take time.
During his bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen at the US State Department on Monday, Secretary Blinken appreciated that Bangladesh is reexamining the Digital Security Act (DSA).
Regarding the human rights related issues, both sides stressed upon the fact that there are some noticeable developments in the last four months.
Foreign Minister Momen emphasized that Bangladeshi law enforcers need training from the US on rules of engagement, and informed that there is an inbuilt system of inquiry in the RAB, which tracks all allegations, based on which a number of personnel have been penalized.
Depicting the context of the creation of RAB in 2004, he underscored that RAB has played a pivotal role in Bangladesh’s counter-terrorism efforts, which may be undermined by the sanctions.
Momen also sought the US Secretary of State’s attention and assistance for realizing the deportation of Rashed Chowdhury, one of the convicted killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who is residing in the US.
Also read:Dhaka, Washington economic ties to grow further: Momen
Appreciating ongoing works of the tripartite group on labour rights, he underscored that labour rights is an important determinant of Biden Administration’s foreign policy.
Noting that Bangladesh is not getting development finance due to the labour rights issues, he stressed upon resolving all the impediments.
He positively responded to the proposal of deepening maritime cooperation as two countries have the shared goal of a free and secure Indo-Pacific.
Two side discussed the whole gamut of US-Bangladesh bilateral relations.
Bangladesh Foreign Minister thanked the United States for providing more than 61 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine so far, the highest received by any country from the US.
Referring to the congratulatory letter from US President Joe Biden to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he appreciated that the warmth of the message.
Stating that Bangladesh has made huge socio-economic progress in last 50 years, Foreign Minister Momen termed the US as an all-time friend of Bangladesh in its journey towards development as the largest trading partner as well as the largest investor in accumulated term.
He appreciated that the US has finally determined that genocide took place in Myanmar in 2017, and opined that the US should suspend GSP and reimpose sanctions on Myanmar in order to put pressure so that Myanmar resolves the crisis.
He opined that the US needs to diversify investment portfolio, and can consider investing in the infrastructure sector in Bangladesh.
He depicted Bangladesh’s potential in terms of young population including around 700,000 IT professionals; and also proposed that there may be joint investment proposals in pharmaceutical sectors.
He also urged for assistance from the US in developing blue economy, opining that this may enable two countries to work together in building a secure Indo-Pacific region.
Momen briefs Blinken about “transparent” election process
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has briefed his US counterpart Antony Blinken about Bangladesh’s “transparent and independent” election commission apparently suggesting him to encourage BNP to take part in the election process.
“Bring them (BNP) to the election process to follow the rules and procedures of the country,” he told Blinken during their bilateral meeting at the US Department of State on Monday.
While talking to reporters after the meeting in Washington, Momen said he conveyed to the US side that there is a good election process and system in Bangladesh and all parties except one (BNP) join the elections that are transparent, free and fair.
The foreign minister said the BNP must go to the people and take part in the voting process. “We’ve a fair system. We’ve an Election Commission. They’re (EC) independent and during the election they are the boss.”
Also read: It’s time to look beyond energy sector: Momen tells Blinken, seeking 'rock-solid' ties
Momen said if they (BNP) are really committed to democracy they should participate in the election process. “They’re welcome if they want to do elections.”
The FM said the mayor in his city (Sylhet) is from BNP and they are very comfortably working together.
Momen referred to weaknesses of US democracy though the United States is among the oldest modern democracies.
Whereas, he said Bangladesh is a country of 50 years with 18 years of military-backed governments. The foreign minister said the vast population in Bangladesh cast their votes in the elections while the number is very few in the US.
Momen said elections are being held at various levels in Bangladesh since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina came to power.
The foreign minister raised the issue of sheltering Rashed Chowdhury, a convicted killer of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and reiterated Bangladesh’s call to handover him to Bangladesh.
Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Momen discussed the tremendous economic potential of the relationship and reflected on the ways they have collaborated over the last half century – including growing our people-to-people ties with our vibrant Fulbright exchange.
Also read: Bangladesh, US relations to reach new heights: Blinken to Momen
They also highlighted ongoing cooperation to address the climate crisis, meet the needs of Rohingya victims of genocide, and promote regional security through UN peacekeeping operations.
Secretary Blinken reaffirmed the importance of protecting human rights, the rule of law, and freedom of religion as the basis for safe and prosperous democratic societies.
Lawmaker Mahbubul Alam Hanif, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Secretary (West) Shabbir Ahmad Chowdhury and Bangladesh Ambassador to the US M Shahidul Islam accompanied Foreign Minister Momen at the meeting.
Momen urges Sri Lankan businesses to invest in Bangladesh
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has invited Sri Lankan businesses to invest in Bangladesh in potential areas availing of facilities that Dhaka offers with comparatively higher rate of return.
"Bangladesh is a land of opportunity. Bangladesh offers lucrative package for the foreign investors," he told Sri Lanka business community at Bangladesh-Sri Lanka business roundtable held in Sri Lankan capital city on Wednesday.
Read:Bhutanese FM for early conclusion of agreement on use of Bangladesh’s inland waterways
Secretary (East) Mashfee Binte Shams, Rector of Bangladesh Foreign Service Academy Asad Alam Siam and High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Sri Lanka Tareq Md Ariful Islam were also present at the event and had interaction on trade and investment related issues.
Momen presented the business and investment facilities of Bangladesh to the Sri Lankan business community and invited them to enhance trade and investment with Bangladesh.
He also proposed to have exchange between business communities of the two countries to utilize each other's best possible facilities for mutual benefits.