‘US to further strengthen ties with Bangladesh’

United States Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller on Monday said his country would further strengthen the bilateral relationship with Bangladesh for the sake of economic development.

“I am honoured and have enjoyed the past three years in Bangladesh. I have retired from foreign services. I will go back to my hometown in Michigan,” he said while addressing his farewell meeting organised by the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) online.

“Bangladesh has celebrated 50 years of independence. We have a long-term diplomatic relationship with Bangladesh. I hope it will strengthen further,” he said.

The US envoy said he was so grateful that he had worked in Bangladesh and had wonderful memories of the country.

“I love Bangladesh. The US has appointed Peter D Haas as the new ambassador to Bangladesh,” Miller said.

Miller said bilateral trade between the US and Bangladesh reached $7.9 billion in 2020, which was $1.6 billion 25 years ago.

The economic and indo-pacific affairs unit chief at the US embassy in Dhaka, John D Dunham, described the economic ties between the US and Bangladesh as good.

He said Bangabandhu Satellite-1, the first terrestrial communication and broadcasting satellite of Bangladesh, was launched from the US. “Bangladesh exported personal protective equipment to the US during the Covid-19 pandemic. The US government also donated Pfizer vaccine doses to Bangladesh through COVAX,” he added.

John hoped the economic partnership between the US and Bangladesh would strengthen further in future.

AmCham President Syed Ershad Ahmed moderated the function while its members, foreign dignitaries, business leaders, media representatives, and other distinguished guests attended it.