USA Is Committed To Helping Bangladesh's RMG Sector: Bernicat To PM

"We are committed to helping Bangladesh's readymade garment sector...this is not a political issue and we are working hard so that Bangladesh could meet the requirements in the sector," she said.

The US ambassador made the comments when she paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the latter's office here this morning.

After the meeting, PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters.

While talking about the initiatives of the Bangladesh government for the development of the RMG sector, Bernicat mentioned that the US buyers want to know the condition of the garment workers in Bangladesh.

She highly appreciated Bangladesh's impressive success on different socioeconomic fronts under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

"Not only in the garment sector, Bangladeshis also doing well in agro-based industries and shipbuilding sector under the leadership of the Prime Minister," the US envoy remarked.

She also praised Bangladesh's tremendous progress in women empowerment.

About the extradition of convicted fugitive killer of Bangabandhu Rashed Chowdhury who is now living in the USA, Bernicat said: "The issue is under judicial process and it (extradition) depends on the decision of the court."

The US ambassador highly eulogised the stance of the Bangladesh government and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina against terrorism and militancy.

She also lauded the role of the Bangladeshi peacekeepers in maintaining peace across the globe and the Bangladesh government for handling the Rohingya issue efficiently.

While talking about the issue of terrorism and militancy, the Prime Minister reiterated that the terrorists and militants have no religion and border. "I myself have become a victim of terrorism and the people of Bangladesh have suffered a lot for it," she said, adding the human beings must be protected from terrorism and militancy.

Pointing out the contribution of Bangladeshi peacekeepers to maintain peace in the trouble-torn areas, Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh is now top troops-contributing country in the world.

"The Bangladeshi peacekeepers are rendering their services for socioeconomic development in different trouble-torn countries side by side with maintaining peace," she said.

The Prime Minister also put emphasis on reduction of arms production across the globe.

Stressing the need for strengthening connectivity, Sheikh Hasina said the connectivity is the key to economic development.

In this connection, the Prime Minister mentioned the recently signed Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicle Agreement and the ongoing process of establishment of Bangladesh-China-India-Myanamar (BCIM) Economic Corridor. Sheikh Hasina also mentioned the Land Boundary Agreement with India.

PM's Principal Secretary Md Abul Kalam Azad, Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim and Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy in Bangladesh David Meale were present on the occasion.

Source: BSS