Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today called for continued US investment in Bangladesh, particularly in warehousing, soybean, cotton, wheat and the information technology sector.

The premier made the call when visiting US President's Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor paid a courtesy call on him at the Prime Minister's Office in Tejgaon this morning.

The two sides discussed bilateral relations, trade and investment, regional cooperation and other issues of mutual interest during the meeting, said PM's Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin.

The meeting was held in a warm and cordial atmosphere, he added.

Photo: PMO

The Prime Minister invited US investment in warehousing, soybean, cotton, wheat and other agricultural sectors, saying such investments would help build a strong and competitive supply chain.

He also highlighted Bangladesh's keen interest in attracting US investment in the information technology sector.

The two sides also exchanged views on investment opportunities through the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). The Prime Minister urged the United States to continue its investment in Bangladesh, while the Special Envoy said Washington would work positively to expand DFC investment cooperation in the country.

Gor also informed the Prime Minister that US investors in Dhaka are keen to organise a US Investor Summit in Bangladesh in the near future and that he is personally working to facilitate the initiative.

Photo: PMO

The proposed visit of a delegation from the US-Bangladesh Business Council to Bangladesh next month also came up for discussion.

The meeting also discussed expanding cooperation between Bangladesh and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Gor assured the Prime Minister that he would support the resumption of FDA inspection activities in Bangladesh.

During the meeting, Gor highly appreciated Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's leadership, saying stability is returning to Bangladesh under his leadership.

As an indication of this, he said, the United States has positively revised its travel advisory for Bangladesh, which would send an important message to US investors that the country is now ready for investment.

The Special Envoy said Bangladesh has significant potential in the IT sector and could become a partner in the PAX Silica initiative in the future. He also assured the Prime Minister that he would take initiatives in this regard.

The Rohingya crisis also featured in the discussions.
Sharing his experience from his visit to the Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar on Friday, Gor praised the government and people of Bangladesh for providing shelter to the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals and continuing humanitarian assistance for them.

The Prime Minister noted that the United States provides more than half of the international assistance for the Rohingyas and expressed gratitude to the US government and people for their continued support.

The Special Envoy stressed the need for a swift, sustainable and political solution to the Rohingya crisis and underscored the importance of coordinated efforts involving ASEAN, neighbouring countries and all other relevant stakeholders.

Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, PM's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, PM's Advisers Mahdi Amin and Rehan Asif Asad, Bangladesh Ambassador to the US Tareq Md Ariful Islam and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen and other senior officials were present at the meeting.