Bangladesh President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has urged the United States to review and simplify its existing visa bond system for Bangladeshi businesspeople and genuine tourists seeking to visit the country.
He made the request on Wednesday, September 2, during a courtesy meeting with US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen at Bangabhaban, according to the President’s Press Wing.
Call for Greater US Investment
During the meeting, the president recalled the United States’ past investment and support for Bangladesh’s agricultural sector, including assistance to institutions such as the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute and Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute.
He encouraged Washington to expand investment and cooperation in agriculture.
The president also highlighted the contribution of US energy company Chevron to Bangladesh’s energy sector and called for increased American investment in the field.
He said Bangladesh offers significant opportunities in areas including information technology, infrastructure, healthcare and high-tech industries. He also stressed the importance of technology and skills transfer between the two countries.
US Support Sought for Rohingya Repatriation
Mirza Fakhrul also sought continued US support for the safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation of Rohingya refugees to their homeland.
The US ambassador assured him that Washington would continue its support and emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation with ASEAN countries on the issue.
Bangladesh-US Trade Ties
Christensen congratulated Mirza Fakhrul on assuming the presidency and conveyed his best wishes during the meeting.
In response, the president described the United States as one of Bangladesh’s key development and trade partners. He said bilateral commercial ties have played an important role in Bangladesh’s economic development.
He reiterated that Bangladesh seeks friendly relations and broader bilateral and multilateral cooperation with all countries. According to him, Dhaka places particular importance on independence, sovereignty, national interests, mutual respect and equality in international relations.
The president expressed hope that Bangladesh-US relations would expand further on the basis of mutual respect and shared interests.
Push for More Balanced Trade
Referring to the bilateral trade agreement recently concluded between Bangladesh and the United States, Mirza Fakhrul described it as an important step toward expanding economic ties.
At the same time, he said there was scope to make the agreement more balanced and mutually beneficial by taking into account the economic realities and interests of both countries.
The US ambassador, meanwhile, reaffirmed Washington’s interest in deepening and broadening its relationship with Bangladesh across multiple areas.
