Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)-US Congressmen at the Capitol Hill in Washington commended what they called impressive progresses Bangladesh has been making in socio-economic and political fields.
Congressmen Joseph Crowley (D-New York 7th), Brad Sherman (D-California 27th), Ed Royce (R-California 40th) and the first Bangladeshi descent Congressman Hansen Hashim Clarke (D-Michigan 13th) made the appreciation at a Congressional Reception on Tuesday attended by Foreign Minister Dipu Moni.
They praised the diversification of the private sector in Bangladesh, role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society and the government’s efforts to ensure good governance and rule of law, a foreign ministry press statement said.
While expressing their support for the causes of Bangladesh the Congressmen observed it was true that Bangladesh is yet to receive the attention it deserves.
US Assistant Secretary of State Ambassador Robert O. Blake who also attended the reception appreciated Bangladesh’s march towards socio-economic progress and lauded the role of the private sector, civil society and NGOs.
Blake pledged support of the current US Administration for Bangladesh, which they consider as an important partner and a friend.
The reception was held in connection with the Branding Bangladesh event arranged by Bangladesh Brand Forum with the partnership of US Bangladesh Advisory Council.
Speaking at the reception Dipu Moni elaborated the present government’s commitment to upholding democracy, good governance, human rights, building democratic intuitions, fighting corruptions and transforming Bangladesh into a middle income country by 2021.
She urged to the Congressman to play a proactive role to end an unfair tariff regime which is in effect restricting the duty free quota free access of Bangladeshi products into US market particularly the apparels which account for more than $600 million being paid as tariff.
She also called for reintroducing the ‘New Partnership for Trade Development Act’ in the 112th Congress, which provides duty free quota free access of products from Asian LDCs including Bangladesh.
Earlier, the foreign minister attended a breakfast roundtable at the US Chamber of Commerce and a Seminar at the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in the prestigious Johns Hopkins University both organized by Bangladesh Brand Forum in partnership with the US Bangladesh Advisory Council in Washington DC as part of a
Brand Bangladesh campaign in the US.
She also attended a breakfast seminar hosted by the US Chamber of Commerce which was participated by business leaders both from Bangladesh and the US, entrepreneurs, high officials from the US State Department, media representatives, among others.
The business representatives from both Bangladesh and the US and other participants from think tanks, NGOs and media also spoke on the occasion which was identified as the first ever engagement between US Chamber of Commerce and the private sector from Bangladesh.
The foreign minister also held a meeting with Congressman Jim McDermott (D-Washington 7th) at the Capitol Hill where they discussed issues of mutual interest.
BBN/SSR/AD-12Oct11-9:30 pm (BST)
