BD, US discuss tackling graft, money laundering

FE Team | Published: October 14, 2024 00:09:37

Bangladesh and the United States have discussed ways for strengthening collaboration to counter corruption, tackle money laundering, and recover stolen assets, reports UNB.
The issues were discussed during a meeting between Foreign Secretary (FS) Md Jashim Uddin and Acting Coordinator for Global Anti-Corruption Shelby Smith-Wilson in Washington, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday.
Their talks also covered technical support for reforms, Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) treaty, and enhancing experience and expertise sharing in procurement systems, law enforcement, judiciary and media.
Meanwhile, US Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya said the US values Bangladesh as a "partner" in the Indo-Pacific region and their "strong collaboration" as the leading partner on Rohingya response and number one source of foreign direct investment (FDI).
She shared a brief message on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Saturday, as she had a meeting with the FS in Washington on October 11.
"Vital discussion (took place) with Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin on the US-Bangladesh humanitarian cooperation, accountability and democratic institutions, and support for labour rights," she said.
The FS and Uzra Zeya had "fruitful discussions" on the reforms of the democratic institutions and upholding of democratic values, accountability of human rights violations, humanitarian response and sustainable solutions of the Rohingya crisis and labour rights issues, according to the ministry.
He also had a "productive meeting" with US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma at the State Department, affirming renewal of commitment to deepen and expand bilateral ties, and strengthen collaboration on areas of mutual interest.
The FS had a separate meeting with US Acting Under Secretary for Political Affairs John Bass and discussed ways to deepen bilateral collaboration building on the momentum in the Bangladesh-US relationship, and advance impactful cooperation in priority areas.
He also had discussions on diverse issues during a meeting at the White House with Lindsey W Ford, US Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for South Asia.
The meeting covered the interim government's reform agenda, democratic transition, economic and security issues, regional stability, Rohingya crisis and labour law.
The FS also met Brendan Lynch, Assistant USTR for South and Central Asia, and discussed raising mutual cooperation to diversify export, DFQF access of RMGs produced from cotton - imported from the US, simplification of registration and reduction of registration fees for pharmaceutical products, labour law reforms, and access to the US International Development Finance Cooperation (DFC).
A lunch meeting between Md Jashim Uddin and the key US officials focused on a wide range of issues of mutual interests. The key US officials included Assistant Secretary Ambassador Donald Lu, Acting Assistant Secretary Marta C Youth, Deputy Assistant Secretary Nicole Chulick, Deputy Assistant Secretary Monica Ager Jacobsen, and Director Alla P Kamins.
The FS visited New York before his tour to Washington, and he is scheduled to leave Washington today (October 14).