Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)– The United Stats (US) views Bangladesh as a moderate, secular and democratic country which has been playing an important role in stabilizing a troubled South Asia, US Ambassador Dan W Mozena said on Tuesday.
The newly appointed US ambassador made the remarks during a call on with Foreign Minister Dipu Moni at her office in the capital Dhaka on the day when a wide range of issues concerning the bilateral relations between the US and Bangladesh were discussed.
Calling his appointment a ‘dream come true’ Mr. Mozena said Bangladesh matters to the US as it is a country endowed with a huge number of creative, energetic and, most importantly, resilient people, a foreign ministry press statement said.
The ambassador outlined his vision to creating an environment with a broader, deeper and expanded engagement with Bangladesh to develop a strategic partnership between the US and Bangladesh.
He hoped that the draft anti-trafficking in persons law would be passed soon.
Foreign Minister Dipo Moni mentioned that a wave of change has swept through the country under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the areas of women empowerment and their involvement in the political process, media, civil society, health, education, private sector and so on, as the current Government believed in delivering the promises made to the people.
Dipo Moni clarified the status of Grameen Bank and explained at length that contrary to the perception by certain quarters, Grameen Bank is purely a statutory body and in no way an non-government organization (NGO) .
The foreign minister assured the ambassador that the government is very mindful about the smooth functioning of the Grameen Bank and welfare of the borrowers of the Bank most of whom are poor women.
She pointed out that Bangladesh deserves to be recognized for all the progress it has been making and should receive a favourable consideration for enrolment under the Millennium Challenge Account and more importantly, for duty and quota free access for its signature product readymade garments (RMG) into the US market.
BBN/SSR/AD-29Nov11-9:22 pm (BST)
