US Chargé d'Affaires pays farewell call on CA Yunus, reiterates support for Feb polls
Jacobson, who is returning home after an eventful year in Bangladesh, praised the leadership of the Chief Adviser over the past 17 months.
Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson, the Chargé d'Affaires of the United States to Bangladesh, today paid a farewell call on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna.
During the meeting, the two leaders discussed a range of issues, including the upcoming February parliamentary elections and referendum, trade, civil aviation, labour reforms initiated by the Interim Government, and overall bilateral relations between the two countries.
Jacobson, who is returning home after an eventful year in Bangladesh, praised the leadership of the Chief Adviser over the past 17 months. She reiterated the support of the United States government for the February elections, highlighting the importance of free and fair democratic processes in Bangladesh.
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In response, Chief Adviser Yunus reaffirmed his government's commitment to holding transparent, peaceful, and credible elections. "We are fully prepared," he said, emphasizing that any attempts to disrupt peace ahead of the elections would be dealt with firmly.
The US Chargé d'Affaires also lauded the reforms undertaken by the Interim Government, particularly the "truly remarkable and extraordinary" labour laws, noting that they would help attract greater foreign direct investment to Bangladesh. She commended the withdrawal of 45 of the 46 cases filed against labour leaders under previous governments as a positive step toward strengthening workers' rights.
CA Yunus described the new labour ordinance as an "excellent piece of legislation," noting that leading Bangladeshi labour activists have welcomed the reforms and the ratification of International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions.
The meeting also touched upon humanitarian assistance for the Rohingya community.
The Chief Adviser expressed gratitude to Jacobson for her "critical work" during her tenure and for being a "friend to Bangladesh," extending an invitation for her future visits.
National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman and SDG Coordinator and Senior Secretary Lamiya Morshed were also present at the meeting.
