Bangladesh calls for duty-free access to US

Bangladesh has requested the US government to allow duty-free market access for Bangladeshi goods and invited more US investment in several sectors.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam made the requests at a meeting with US deputy secretary of state Wendy Sherman in New York on Wednesday.

During the meeting, Shahriar also congratulated Donald Lu, the newly appointed US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia. Alam invited Sherman to visit Bangladesh again in her new capacity.

On bilateral issues, Shahriar also raised the issue of deportation of Rashed Chowdhury, the self-confessed killer of Bangabandhu now living in the US.

Shahriar at the meeting highlighted the social and economic progress achieved by Bangladesh even during the Covid-19 situation. He also highlighted foreign investment opportunities in Bangladesh.

Shahriar also talked about the climate challenges faced by Bangladesh and other climate-vulnerable countries. He said Bangladesh played a pioneering role in addressing these challenges.

On the Rohingya crisis, Shahriar called upon the international community, including the US, to take urgent steps for ensuring the safe, dignified and sustainable return of the Rohingyas to their homeland.

Earlier in the day, Shahriar participated in the Ministerial meeting of the Community of Democracies where he informed the community of the actions taken by Bangladesh to establish, uphold, and strengthen democracy.