Momen seeks US investment in Bangladesh’s ICT

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen called for more investment from the United States in the Economic Zones and high-tech parks of Bangladesh, during a meeting with  Earl R Miller, the US ambassador in Dhaka.

During the meeting, Momen emphasised that the US may consider investing in the ICT sector in Bangladesh, according to a press statement from the foreign ministry.

Miller called on the foreign minister on Thursday at the ministry and they discussed ways and means to further enhance the existing bilateral relations between the two nations, a prioritised area of development, reads the press statement.

After the assumption of the new US administration led by US President Joe Biden, the prospect of having closer ties between two countries has enhanced, the two sides observed.

Foreign Minister Momen underscored that Bangladesh, given its commendable socio-economic progress in the last one decade, expects closer support from and collaboration with the US in coming days.

Momen said along with ICT sectors, the preservation of mangrove forest in the Sundarbans and the management of water resources can be other areas where the US can provide technical cooperation, he added, noting that Bangladesh needs technology transfer from the US.

He thanked Miller for the continued support from the US on the Rohingya issue, underscoring that the repatriation of them remains the priority for Bangladesh.

Recalling his recent telephone discussion with US Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, Dr Momen reiterated Bangladesh's keenness to work with the US, both bilaterally and multilaterally, on climate change, including in the upcoming COP26 of the UNFCCC to be held in Glasgow, United Kingdom in November 2021.

Momen also reiterated that Rashed Chowdhury, the convicted killer of the Father of the Nation, should be deported from the US without further delay. 

Meanwhile, the US ambassador observed Bangladesh is gaining growing importance within South Asia due to the socio-economic progress being achieved.

He reiterated his country's appreciation for Bangladesh for the mammoth humanitarian undertaking related to the Rohingya crisis, and stated that the US remains as the most vocal in this regard.

Underscoring that the ongoing celebration of the 50^th anniversary of Bangladesh and the birth centenary of the father of the nation is a good occasion to reinvigorate the relations between two countries, he discussed the possibility of the visit of high dignitaries of the US government this year to join the celebration.

He also expressed optimism that Bangladesh-US ties would further enhance in coming days under the new US administration. He assured of the continued engagement of the United States in the socio-economic development of Bangladesh.