US vows deeper Dhaka ties at National Day celebration

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen
yesterday (20 May) reaffirmed Washington's commitment to strengthening
economic, energy and security cooperation with Bangladesh as the United States
celebrated its 250th independence anniversary in Dhaka.
Finance
and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury attended the programme as
the chief guest.
In
his remarks Finance minister Chowdhury said Bangladesh is looking forward to
deeper engagement from American investors and institutions, including the US
International Development Finance Corporation, particularly in infrastructure,
energy, digital connectivity, logistics and services sectors.
He said that Bangladesh welcomed increased American investment and stronger
supply chain cooperation between the two countries.
"We
envision deeper cooperation between our universities, researchers,
entrepreneurs and diaspora communities living across different states of the
United States," he said.
Chowdhury
said Bangladesh and the United States have built strong bridges through
diplomacy, trade and educational exchanges over the years.
"Our
responsibility now is to deepen that partnership for future generations. I
remain confident that the best chapters of Bangladesh-United States relations
are still ahead of us," he added.
Speaking at the US National Day celebration, Ambassador Christensen said the
United States and Bangladesh were advancing a "mutually beneficial
partnership" through expanded trade, investment, aviation and energy
cooperation.
Referring to the recently signed Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART), the envoy
said the arrangement would help preserve Bangladesh's access to the US market
with competitive tariff facilities while promoting balanced trade and
investment relations between the two countries.
He
said the agreement reflected a "common sense" approach to diplomacy
where both nations pursue policies serving their own people while identifying
areas of shared benefit.
Highlighting growing aviation cooperation, Christensen referred to the recent
aircraft deal between Boeing and Biman Bangladesh Airlines, saying the
partnership would contribute to the modernization of Bangladesh's civil
aviation sector through aircraft supply, pilot training and technical
development.
The
ambassador also mentioned the recently signed Bangladesh-US memorandum of
understanding on strategic energy cooperation, saying the deal would facilitate
energy projects, industrial growth and fuel diversification in Bangladesh.
"The
United States remains a reliable partner for Bangladesh's energy needs,"
he said.
Christensen
said the United States had also been working closely with Bangladesh on health
security issues, including measles vaccination campaigns and emergency response
initiatives.
Referring to America's
independence history, the envoy said the principles of liberty, self-rule and
democratic governance enshrined in the 1776 Declaration of Independence
continued to inspire people worldwide.
Quoting
US President Donald Trump, he said, "With a single sheet of parchment and
56 signatures, America began the greatest political journey in human history."
The
ambassador announced several public outreach initiatives marking America's
250th anniversary, including the launch of 50 red-white-and-blue themed
rickshaws in Gulshan and Banani, an "American Founders Museum" at
Centrepoint Mall, and an "America Week" road show across Dhaka,
Chattogram, Rajshahi and Sylhet in July.
He
said the celebrations reflected the enduring friendship between Bangladesh and
the United States and reaffirmed Washington's intention to further strengthen
bilateral partnership in the years ahead.
















