Momen urges US to invest in Bangladesh’s health sector

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has called on the United States to invest in Bangladesh's health sector.

He made the call on Monday during a phonic conversation with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, said a press release issued on Tuesday.

Bangladesh wants to diversify investment, he said, requesting the United States to invest in Bangladesh's economic zones. 

The minister said, "Investing in this country will be profitable for the United States because of the hi-tech parks, skilled manpower in the Information Technology (IT) sector and the easy availability of a large number of workers."

Momen requested the United States to grant duty-free access of Bangladesh's readymade garments sector to its market for two years.

He mentioned that workers in the sector, most of whom are women, are in uncertainty as buyers from various countries, including the United States, have cancelled orders.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, "The United States has allocated $43 million to help Bangladesh cope with the coronavirus pandemic." 

He praised Bangladesh's initiative in tackling the pandemic.

Momen urged the United States to play a more assertive role in the repatriation of the displaced Rohingya people to Myanmar. 

The minister said, "Myanmar is delaying implementation of the agreement on the repatriation of Rohingya."

He expressed concern over the recent military operation of Myanmar army in Rakhine state.

According to an annual report by the US Department of State, Bangladesh's increased efforts helped it earn an upgrade to Tier-2 in the three-tier ranking of countries fighting human trafficking.

Mike Pompeo praised Bangladesh for it.