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New US Ambassador meets Commerce Minister |
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October 3, 2000
Dhaka (UNB) – The new US Ambassador to Bangladesh yesterday said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s upcoming visit to the United States would strengthen the Washington-Dhaka ties currently developed multi-dimensionally, beyond assistance. “The relation is not limited to development assistance now, but expanded to other sectors, including trade and investment,” Mary Ann Peters said when she called on Commerce Minister Abdul Jalil at his office. She said US entrepreneurs are interested to invest here, as the country is suitable for investment. The US envoy also showed interest in developing information technology sector of Bangladesh. “We are very happy due to increased trade between the two countries,” she said, but pointed out the trade imbalance against Bangladesh. Welcoming the US ambassador, the Commerce Minister said that relations between the two countries, established by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is improving and expanding gradually. Mentioning the investment incentives offered by the country, he said the government is trying hard to increase foreign investment and is very much sincere to solve investors’ problems. About duty and quota-free access of Sub-Saharan and Caribbean goods to the US market, Abdul Jalil said Bangladesh as a least developed country also intended to avail the opportunity and requested the US envoy to make her personal effort to get Bangladesh the facility. “The country’s largest foreign exchange earning sector, RMG, will have to face unparalleled competition and a setback unless the same facility is provided,” he said. Appreciating the US envoy’s interest in information technology (IT), the minister informed her that the IT is a thrust sector in Bangladesh and the government is ready to provide all necessary support, including infrastructure, for its development. Many training institutions have already developed to produce skilled manpower in this sector, he said adding that many foreign IT institutes have invested here for this purpose. |