C T Online Desk: Foreign Minister AK Momen described Bangladesh-US relations as warm, dynamic, multifaceted and forward-looking and stressed that the bilateral ties should only deepen and broaden as Bangladesh economy continues to grow rapidly under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
He told this when a US Congressional delegation of Congressman Rich McCormick of Georgia and Congressman Ed Case of Hawaii met the Foreign Minister on Sunday (Aug 13) at the State Guest House Padma.
Momen and the US Congressmen held fruitful discussions on Bangladesh-US partnership on various areas, including trade and economy, Rohingya response, global health, climate change and upcoming general elections of Bangladesh, reads a Foreign Ministry press release.
The Congressional delegation commenced their 3-day Bangladesh visit on Sunday morning by paying floral tribute at Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s mural at the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhanmondi 32.
Both the Congressmen were accompanied by their spouses at that time.
Referring to the visit as moving, the Congressmen said that it was indeed a great tragedy for Bangladesh to lose such a personality and that too so early.
Foreign Minister Momen expressed hope that the US investment in Bangladesh will expand and diversify as Bangladesh offers potential in many areas, including ICT, pharmaceuticals, and steel.
He also sought US congressional support for duty-free access of Bangladesh’s textile and garments products made of US cotton. The US delegation expressed their keenness to look into the partnership in pharmaceuticals, among others.
The delegation praised Bangladesh for generous hosting of over 1 million forcibly displaced Rohingyas. The meeting discussed the way forward in the context of gradual decline in the aid for Rohingya.
The Bangladesh Foreign Minister appreciated the US Government for its humanitarian support for the Rohingyas and stressed on the importance of working together towards achieving the ultimate goal of repatriation of the displaced Rohingyas to their homeland.
Members of Parliament Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Kazi Nabil Ahmed and Mohammad Ali Arafat were present in the meeting and contributed to the discussions. Director General (North America) Khandker Masudul Alam and other Foreign Ministry officials were also present.
Spouses of the Congressmen, Dr. Debra Miller and Ms. Audrey Case, the US Ambassador to Bangladesh, Peter Haas and other US officials accompanied the congressional delegation.
