Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)-US Secretary of State John Kerry has urged Bangladesh government for quick passage of labour law amendment.
He also stressed the need for rapid progress on fire and building safety inspection issues.
Kerry made the call during a meeting with Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni in Washington DC on Friday, a media note issued by the US Department of State said.
During the meeting, Kerry expressed condolence over the Rana Plaza collapse tragedy which cost 1,127 lives.
Kerry also noted that the importance of the war crimes trials in the International Crimes Tribunal is being conducted in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with international standard.
He highlighted the strong cooperation between the two countries on a broad range of issues and welcomes the second annual Partnership Dialogue that will take place in Dhaka next week, including a Private Sector Forum to further enhance strong bilateral trade relation with Bangladesh.
Bangladesh foreign minister informed him about her talks with the US apparel buyers to come up with an action plan for sharing some of the burden of revamping the readymade garment (RMG) industry in Bangladesh, a foreign ministry statement said in Dhaka on Saturday.
Dipu Moni shared with him the information on the economic development of the country in the last four years and also highlighted the developments that include empowering of women, strengthening of democratic institutions, and upholding human rights and rule of law by putting an end to the culture of impunity.
She said that Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries with regard to the climate change and therefore, taking a number of adaptation and mitigation projects and urged the USA to stand by it. Secretary of State expressed his keen interest in the area and assured the foreign minister of extending US assistance, according to the statement.
When Secretary Kerry mentioned Grameen Bank, the foreign minister apprised him on the issue and said that as a public statutory body, Grameen is now conducted as per the Rules and Regulations governing this entity and also updating him on the process of appointing a new Managing Director and the obstacles being faced in this regard.
Bangladesh foreign minister mentioned about her government’s efforts in ensuring good governance by investing heavily in its people, and all in the right areas, and urged the US Government for retention of Bangladesh’s GSP benefits in the USA, and extending duty free and quota free market access for its products. “Secretary Kerry took note of the request and assured to do his best,” it noted.
When Kerry raised his concern about the Rohingya population of Burma, officially known as Myanmar, the foreign minister said that despite its constraints, Bangladesh was a gracious host to the refugees.
She expressed Bangladesh’s inability to accommodate any more refugees given the economic, environmental, social and geographic constraints. Secretary Kerry appreciated Bangladesh’s position and assured the minister that the USA would continue engaging with Myanmar to resolve Rohingya issues.
The foreign minister renewed her invitation to Secretary Kerry to visit Bangladesh. Secretary Kerry accepted the invitation and promised that he would take the visit at the earliest possible time.
BBN/SSR/AD-18May13-8:57 pm (BST)
