Bangladesh has urged the United States to ease its visa bond requirements for genuine tourists and business travellers, while calling for greater American investment in key sectors of the country’s economy.
President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir made the appeal during a meeting with US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen at Bangabhaban on Wednesday morning.
According to Daily Sun, the President also sought expanded US cooperation in agriculture, energy, information technology, infrastructure, healthcare and high-tech industries, highlighting opportunities for American investors in Bangladesh.
Recalling US support for Bangladesh’s agricultural development, including assistance to the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute and Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Mirza Fakhrul called for renewed American engagement in the sector. He also pointed to Chevron’s contribution to Bangladesh’s energy industry and encouraged further US investment.
The President emphasized the importance of technology transfer and skills development, saying Bangladesh offered considerable potential for deeper economic cooperation. He also described the existing commercial relationship with Washington as an important contributor to the country’s economic growth.
On trade, Mirza Fakhrul welcomed the Bangladesh-US Agreement on Reciprocal Trade as a step towards stronger commercial ties but said there was scope to make the arrangement more balanced and mutually beneficial by considering the economic interests of both countries.
The Rohingya crisis also featured prominently in the discussions. The President requested continued US support for the safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar. Ambassador Christensen assured continued US cooperation and stressed the need for stronger support from ASEAN countries.
The ambassador congratulated Mirza Fakhrul on assuming the presidency and said Washington remained interested in deepening and diversifying relations with Bangladesh.
Mirza Fakhrul reiterated Dhaka’s commitment to maintaining friendly relations with all countries based on sovereignty, national interest, mutual respect and equality, expressing hope that Bangladesh-US ties would expand further.
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