Our economic partnership is strong and growing. American companies are proud to contribute to Bangladesh’s development, from innovations in agriculture, to advances in clean energy, to providing world-class airplanes and locomotives
As the United States celebrates 245 years of independence, let me convey my heartfelt best wishes to the people of Bangladesh and my fellow Americans in this wonderful country. It is an honor to be the US Ambassador in Bangladesh at this exciting and dynamic period in our relationship.
This year, on the occasion of Bangladesh’s 50th year of independence, I reflect on the deeply rooted friendship between our two countries developed over decades through our strong economic and innumerable people-to-people ties.
One of the best illustrations of our vibrant relationship is the United States-Bangladesh partnership in addressing critical challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the Rohingya refugee crisis, and climate change.
I admire Bangladesh’s continued generosity as host to more than one million Rohingya refugees. As the leading international donor, the United States will remain your steadfast partner in finding a durable solution to this crisis.
I respect Bangladesh’s leadership on climate change, particularly on behalf of vulnerable countries. The United States has long supported Bangladesh’s efforts to strengthen the resilience of local communities to natural disasters by establishing early warning systems, supporting farmers in applying climate smart agriculture technologies, and constructing and refurbishing hundreds of multipurpose disaster shelters.
I am proud of our work together to fight the global threat of Covid-19. The pandemic brought our decades-long partnership in public health to the forefront. American frontline workers benefitted from the Bangladeshi private sector’s rapid production of much-needed personal protection equipment and the American people provided over $84 million in development and humanitarian assistance to support Bangladesh’s Covid-19 response. In just the last few days we delivered 2.5 million doses of vaccines and $4 million in medical supplies to Bangladesh. These donations, a gift from the American people, are for the single purpose of saving lives.
Our economic partnership is strong and growing. This year Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the US-Bangladesh Business Council, further linking our private sectors. American companies are proud to contribute to Bangladesh’s development, from innovations in agriculture, to advances in clean energy, to providing world-class airplanes and locomotives.
Sustaining strong democratic institutions and the values they rely on – values our fellow citizens fought for – is another of our shared challenges. The success of any democracy depends on competitive political participation, respect for freedom of expression and dissent, an empowered civil society, and an environment where the press can operate freely. And the story of any true democracy is its struggle, always necessary, always imperfect and ongoing, to live up to its founding principles and ideals, to build a more perfect union – inclusive, democratic, and just.
On this Fourth of July, let me express my gratitude to the people of Bangladesh and the United States who forged this powerful partnership linked by our common reverence for independence. I look forward to a bright future in continued friendship.
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