US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas on Thursday said Bangladesh’s economic development over the last fifty years has been remarkable, and the United States has been a proud partner in that transformation. "We look forward to working with Bangladesh over the next fifty years and beyond," he said. The US Ambassador was delivering opening remarks at the Indo-Pacific Business Forum Infrastructure Panel titled “Mobilising Infrastructure Investment in Bangladesh and the Indo-Pacific.” For the past fifty years, Haas said, the United States has partnered with the governments and the people of Bangladesh by providing over $8 billion to tackle issues like public health, education, energy, environment, food security, natural disasters, and more. "We’re also working with the government through technical assistance programs to create more efficient logistics systems and unleash private investment in areas like clean energy, ports, and railways," said the US Ambassador. In Bangladesh, as in other low and middle-income countries across the region, infrastructure is critical to driving inclusive and sustainable development. Infrastructure connects workers to good jobs; allows businesses to grow and thrive, and creates opportunities for all segments of the society, including underserved communities. "But delivering high-quality infrastructure takes more than just financial investment. It also requires working to support the necessary institutional and policy frameworks, regulatory environment, and human capacity to structure projects to attract private investment," said the Ambassador.  Read more: US envoy meets Momen, shares displeasure over embarrassment It requires strong engineering, environmental, social, governance, and labor standards to ensure positive impact, he said. Infrastructure comes in many forms and sizes, from the large-scale energy systems that power inclusive economies, to the local healthcare networks that contribute to global health security, to the cellular towers and undersea cables that move our data and enable a seamless, open worldwide exchange of information. Meeting infrastructure needs across the Indo-Pacific requires a wide range of public and private financing options. "No one country can go it alone. That’s why in June 2022, President Biden announced the United States aims to mobilise an additional $200 billion in investment as part of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment," said the US envoy. The United States has always been a strong supporter of development finance through the multilateral system, Haas said. Investments from companies like Chevron, GE, and Excelerate create good jobs for Bangladeshi communities and help provide reliable power supply to the Bangladeshi people, he said. U.S. companies are also working to expand high-speed internet access to communities across Bangladesh, said the US envoy. For instance, U.S. company SubCom will build the next undersea communications cable from the Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company, he said. Read more: US Ambassador visits residence of the coordinator of ‘Mayer Dak’ in city "Innovative products like SpaceX’s Starlink could also help provide reliable high-speed satellite internet access to the most remote areas in Bangladesh and across the Indo-Pacific, he said. These technologies can help support Bangladesh’s vast digital user base and expand Bangladesh’s digital economy, said the US envoy. The United States and Japan are committed to working together to foster sustainable and inclusive growth in Bangladesh and across the Indo-Pacific. The US Embassy co-hosted two panels for this year’s Indo-Pacific Business Forum with the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh featuring Ambassador Haas, Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori, Economic Relations Division (ERD) Secretary Sharifa Khan. Panelists discussed how to ensure infrastructure investment benefits bring positive impact across society, and how connecting major corporations with women-owned businesses can foster women’s economic empowerment.

Amid criticism from Dhaka University Teachers’ Association over US ambassador’s “contradictory” approach towards family members of armed forces officers – many of whom were freedom fighters – executed during Gen Ziaur Rahman’s regime, Prime Minister’s ICT Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy called out the “double standards” in a humorous tone. On Martyred Intellectuals Day (December 14, 2022), US Ambassador Peter Haas visited the residence of Sanjida Islam, coordinator of ‘Mayer Dak’, an organisation of families of victims of enforced disappearance, in Dhaka’s Shaheenbagh. Sanjida is the sister of BNP leader Sajedul Islam Sumon, who is reportedly a victim of enforced disappearance that took place in 2013. Read more: DUTA slams US Ambassador for ‘contradictory’ behaviour Acting on information that the US ambassador was visiting a house in Shaheenbagh area, members of ‘Mayer Kanna’ – a platform of family members of victims of enforced disappearance during Gen Zia’s rule – showed up and tried to draw the attention of the ambassador. Awaiting justice for over four decades, the victim families sought intervention of the US ambassador for bringing the perpetrators to book. Gen Zia “unjustly executed around 1,156 army and air force personnel – by hanging or firing squad,” the ‘Mayer Kanna’ appeal reads. Terming the US ambassador’s behaviour “contradictory”, a Dhaka University Teachers’ Association statement said that the envoy went to the house of a disappeared person, but didn’t listen to what ‘Mayer Kanna’, an organisation seeking justice for those killed and disappeared during the regime of Ziaur Rahman, had to say. Read more: US envoy’s visit to Mayer Dak coordinator’s house won’t hurt ties: Info Minister Following the much-talked about incident, Sajeeb Wazed on his verified Facebook page wrote: “Why has there never been a coup in Washington, DC? Because, there is no US Embassy there!” The post gained traction on social media amid statement from BNP leaders raising concerns about diplomats’ security in the country. Many netizens pointed out the 2004 grenade attack on the then British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Anwar Choudhury, in Sylhet, when BNP was in office. Many also questioned the timing of the US ambassador’s visit on Martyred Intellectuals Day. The nation mourns the day by honouring the martyrs, going to memorials. During the Liberation War in 1971, Pakistan army with its local collaborators — many belonging to Jamaat — picked up over 1000 Bengali intellectuals and brutally killed them. The alliance between Jamaat and BNP dates back to the latter’s founding days under Gen Ziaur Rahman.

The controversy over the visit of US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas to the residence of ‘Mayer Dak’ coordinator will not harm the relationship between Bangladesh and the United States, said Information Minister Hasan Mahmud on Thursday. “Of course, the United States is our development partner. They also have a great role in our development journey,” said the minister while talking to reporters at the secretariat. “I would urge the US Ambassador to stay alert about any wrong advice or attempt to make him biased like this,” he said. Those who advised Haas to visit the residence of the coordinator of Mayer Dak made him controversial, he said. Read more: Families of armed forces officers executed during Zia regime seek US ambassador’s intervention for justice “I don't know who advised him to go to the residence yesterday. Whoever gave him the advice did not give the right advice,” the minister added. “But I think the decision was up to the envoy and he also needed to focus on our special days”, he said. The minister said it would have been great if Haas had visited Martyred Intellectuals’ Memorial, marking the Martyred Intellectuals Day on Wednesday. Ambassador Haas visited the residence of Sanjida Islam, coordinator of Mayer Dak, a platform of the relatives of the victims of enforced disappearance, at Shaheenbagh in the city on Wednesday morning. Sanjida is the sister of BNP leader Sajedul Islam Sumon, reportedly a victim of enforced disappearance that took place in 2013. The minister said the Foreign Affairs Ministry was not aware of the matter and Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has already said so. “Mayer Dak was formed by those who are reported to have been made victims of enforced disappearance. Many of them are being found again. Many are accused involving murder cases, many are accused of drug cases and many are fugitive convicts,” he said. BNP keeps telling them that their leaders and activists have been victims of enforced disappearance, he added. Read more: US envoy meets Momen, shares displeasure over embarrassment Following the envoy’s visit to Mayer Dak coordinator’s residence, around 50 people from another organisation ‘Mayer Kanna’ a platform of family members of the victims of enforced disappearance during Gen Ziaur Rahman’s regime, went there to give a memorandum to the US Ambassador, said the minister. But those who were in charge of security of the US envoy did not let ‘Mayer Kanna’ to do that due to his security concern. “I think if the US Ambassador received their memorandum and had a talk with them, then he will not face the bitter criticism now," said the information minister said.

Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday (December 14, 2022) said his ministry did not have prior information regarding the US Ambassador's visit to a particular residence where many people gathered outside the gate. Momen said US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas met him on an emergency basis at his office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “I told him that it is our responsibility to ensure security for you and your people. I asked him (Haas) whether anybody attacked him or on his people. He replied, no,” the foreign minister told reporters, adding that they will provide the Ambassador additional security if he wants. Momen said the Ambassador did not inform his ministry beforehand about the visit and wanted to know from the Ambassador how people came to know that he was going there. “We don’t know anything about it," he added. Read more: US Ambassador hosts reception for DCAB The foreign minister also advised the US envoy to look into how the information regarding his visit was leaked, adding that his (Ambassador) people may also do that. Ambassador Haas visited the residence of Sanjida Islam, coordinator of Mayer Dak, an organisation of the relatives of the victims of enforced disappearance, at Shaheenbagh in the city on Wednesday morning. Sanjida is the sister of BNP leader Sajedul Islam Sumon, who is reportedly a victim of enforced disappearance that took place in 2013. The Ambassador's security escort asked him to leave the place as soon as possible fearing blockade by people there. Read More: US keen to work with Bangladesh, other partners to ensure an open Indo-Pacific “Due to security reasons he left quickly. He is very unhappy with that incident. He is a bit worried,” Momen said. The US Ambassador and embassy staff ended the meeting due to "security concerns", said a spokesperson at the US Embassy in Dhaka. "We are raising this matter at the highest levels of the Bangladesh government," he said. “We cannot bar our journalists from performing their duties. They are very vocal and have the freedom and they run after events,” said the Foreign Minister while responding to a question. Read More: US to be bold in promoting its vision of a free, secure, and prosperous world: Haas The foreign minister said it is a country of free speech and people convey their messages freely and there is freedom of mobility. But, he said, people can be arrested as per the law if public and private property are damaged.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas on Wednesday hosted a reception at his residence for the members of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB).   He explained that he wanted to show his gratitude for the work that the diplomatic correspondents perform in Bangladesh.   “Yours is a noble profession, and increasingly, around the world, it is a difficult and dangerous one,” Ambassador Haas told the members of DCAB. Read more: US Ambassador visits residence of the coordinator of ‘Mayer Dak’ in city He said journalists play a critical role every day in strengthening democratic institutions by informing their fellow citizens of the events happening in their countries. "This role is more important now than ever.”  Foreign diplomats from other missions attended the event.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas on Monday said they seek to work with Bangladesh and other partners to build an Indo-Pacific that is free and open. "We want a region that is free and open, interconnected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. We share this vision with many other nations," he said, sharing the five elements of the Indo-Pacific that the US shares with many other nations. The US ambassador was speaking at a panel discussion “Untangling the Myriad of Multilateral Frameworks in the Indo-Pacific” at a programme titled “Bay of Bengal Conversation” held at a hotel in Dhaka. Read more: US to be bold in promoting its vision of a free, secure, and prosperous world: Haas He said they do not ask any nation to choose between the United States and any other partner. "As we manage shifting geopolitical trends, the United States will conduct itself as a reasonable leader. We do not seek conflict. We do not seek a Cold War," Haas said. The ambassador said the United States will be unabashed in promoting their vision of a free, open, secure, and prosperous world. The window of opportunity to deal with shared threats is closing fast, said the ambassador. He said the United States and 13 partner countries launched negotiations for the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, or IPEF, what he described as a “novel economic arrangement” that reflects their collective desire to address 21st century challenges that go beyond trade and investment. The membership of IPEF reflects the economic diversity of the region as well as the interconnectivity among partner countries that drives economic growth, job creation, and innovation, he said. IPEF is intended to be open and inclusive to others who wish to join in the future if they share the goals of IPEF and work to achieve those goals. “We will continue to work on these issues and grow our economic partnership bilaterally with all nations, including Bangladesh,” said the envoy. Read more: Excited to see more Bangladeshi students are choosing US: Peter Haas “Let us work together to strengthen the foundations of peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and around the world,” he added. The inaugural session was addressed by former President of Serbia Boris Tadic, CGS Chairman Dr Manjur A Chowdhury and CGS Executive Director Zillur Rahman.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas on Monday said they seek to work with Bangladesh and other partners to build an Indo-Pacific that has five elements. "We want a region that is free and open, interconnected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. We share this vision with many other nations," he said. Read more: Excited to see more Bangladeshi students are choosing US: Peter Haas The US Ambassador was speaking at a panel discussion “Untangling the Myriad of Multilateral Frameworks in the Indo-Pacific” at Bay of Bengal Conversations at a hotel in Dhaka. He said they do not ask any nation to choose between the United States and any other partner. "As we manage shifting geopolitical trends, the United States will conduct itself as a reasonable leader. We do not seek conflict. We do not seek a Cold War," Haas said. The Ambassador said the United States will be unabashed in promoting their vision of a free, open, secure, and prosperous world. Read more: US only cares for free & fair election, not who wins: Amb. Haas The window of opportunity to deal with shared threats is closing fast, said Ambassador Haas. "Our vision is a shared vision. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina described Bangladesh’s vision for the region at the 2021 Paris Peace Forum," he said.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas has said a smart company considering doing business overseas will certainly want “certainty and security” as political violence and electoral instability “scare” them. He said a smart company considering doing business overseas also wants to see certain things, including a developed transportation system, consistent access to power and water, and a well-trained workforce and Bangladesh has made great strides in filling these needs. The US envoy said the international companies and investors must become more aware of the opportunities Bangladesh presents. Read:South Korean envoy Lee for strengthening infrastructure cooperation with Bangladesh “Bangladesh must be ready to welcome American businesses,” ambassador Haas said while speaking at a programme hosted by International Business Forum of Bangladesh (IBFB) at a city hotel on Tuesday as the chief guest. Founding President of IBFB Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury, Chairman of Policy Research Institute of Bnagladesh Dr Zaidi Sattar, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union Charles Whiteley, IBFB President Humayun Rashid and its Vice President MS Siddiqui also spoke.  Hailing Bangladesh’s economic progress over the years, ambassador Whiteley said the country needs to work ensuring equal level playing field for both local and overseas investors. Read Policy reforms, strong governance needed for completion of EZs: BEZA chief He said the EU wants to work with Bangladesh for her smooth transition from the LDC. “EU wants to boost commercial ties further as the largest trading partner of Bangladesh.” Ambassador Haas said there are strong reasons to look at Bangladesh for market opportunities and Bangladesh is worthy of their attention. “Even in these challenging times, Bangladesh has a great macroeconomic story to tell. It has been among the fastest growing economies in the world over the past decade,” he added. Read UK to invest 54.5 mn pounds for children in Bangladesh by next 8 years Its GDP grew even during COVID-19 lockdowns, and, according to the Asian Development Bank, the economy is estimated to grow by 6.6 per cent over the next year. The country’s financial leaders have so far managed its debt well and are taking important steps to deal with the inflationary pressures resulting from Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. “Yes, times are tough. And as the World Bank recently pointed out, Bangladesh needs additional reforms in order to maintain its economic expansion going forward. But so far, the macroeconomic situation seems manageable,” said the US envoy. Read BGMEA, Eswatini for investment in apparel, textile joint ventures

  US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas on Wednesday paid a courtesy call on chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission Mohammad Moinuddin Abdullah. The ambassador was accompanied by Scott Brandom, political and economic secretary of the US Embassy and Sara Edwards, legal resident advisor of the US Department of Justice. The ACC chairman briefed the US diplomats about the context of the creation of the anti-graft watchdog, its pre- and post-operations, the various reform programmes undertaken so far, the laws and regulations related to anti-corruption and prevention. The chairman thanked the US Embassy and the US government for help in training Bangladeshi officials on anti-corruption since 2016.  In the meeting, the chairman hoped that training co-operation will continue in the activities of the newly created Digital Forensic Lab and in increasing the skills of the officers related to it. Read:ACC holds mass hearing against 42 govt agencies Also, the US ambassador told the commission that the 20th international anti-corruption conference to be held from December 6 to December 10 will be attended by representatives of various levels of international anti-corruption organizations from all over the world.  He highlighted the importance of participation in this conference to prevent corruption and requested the commission to participate in it by sending a representative of the Anti-Corruption Commission. He said US government will continue to cooperate with the ACC on the issue of  money laundering. The commission chairman thanked the US for supporting the ACC for building institutional capacity  

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas has wished the Bangladesh Election Commission all success in its great "civic responsibility" of conducting free and fair elections. On July 3, ambassador Haas and other heads of diplomatic missions in Dhaka met with Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal. "Democracy is humanity’s most enduring means to advance peace, prosperity, and security, and elections are the cornerstone of democracy," said the US Embassy in a Facebook post shared on Tuesday. Also read: US keen to deepen ties with Bangladesh: Ambassador Haas The United States said it looks forward to the Bangladeshi people choosing their leaders freely in upcoming national elections.