Investors to get wrong signal from violence, political unrest
Wednesday, 12 December 2012
FE Report
US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert O Blake expressed Tuesday in Dhaka deep concern over the ongoing violence and political unrest in Bangladesh and said those would only give wrong signals to investors and dent the reputation of the country.
He urged both ruling and opposition parties to resolve their political differences through dialogue saying whatever consensus they reach would be 'acceptable to the international community'.
"We are deeply concerned over the current violence and hartal," Mr Blake told a press briefing, held at a local hotel at the end of his four-day visit to Bangladesh.
"Investors like to see predictability and safe and easy working environment. Violence and shutdowns are considered to be difficult problems for investment," he noted.
The ongoing situation on the political front would have a deeper and harmful effect on Bangladesh's reputation and its efforts to attract new investment, he said further.
"Both the parties should try to resolve their differences peacefully. They should try to resolve their differences in parliament, where debates should take place," Mr Blake told the briefing.
He strongly condemned the death of three people including Biswajit Das in last Sunday's violence and called upon the government to ensure justice for the deceased.
"I was particularly horrified to see on the front pages of many of your newspapers the pictures of a young man, who was beaten to death," he said.
On the arrest of Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the acting secretary general of Bangladesh Nationalist Party, the US Assistant Secretary of State said, "I hope his constitutional rights will be upheld."
Asked to comment on the reported Skype communication by chairman of the international crimes tribunal, Mr Blake said the US wanted to see the tribunal maintain its neutrality and international standard.
"The US supports a credible, independent, transparent process to bring the perpetrators to justice in accordance with the international standards of law," said Blake.
Robert Blake arrived in Dhaka on December 8 to attend a symposium on women entrepreneurship. He, during his stay in Dhaka, met Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, International Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister Gowher Rizvi and Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia.
Responding to a question, Mr Blake said the Trade and Investment Cooperation Framework Agreement (Ticfa), if signed between Dhaka and Washington, would give a positive signal to international labour fronts as the proposed agreement has adequate commitments to implement labour standards in both the countries.
"We are very close to signing Ticfa," Mr Blake told the media.
The US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs in his written speech said the world had been especially inspired by the work of BRAC and Grameen Bank, which have unleashed the potential of millions of women in Bangladesh and around the world to not only improve their own livelihoods, but also to contribute to long-lasting economic growth in their communities and countries.
"We have also long noted our strong support for a timely and transparent selection of a highly qualified Managing Director, who will ensure the continued integrity and effectiveness of Grameen Bank as an institution, and who will ensure that the interests of all of its shareholders, particularly women, are protected," he said.
Robert O Blake said the US is keen to work with the government to improve labour conditions.
"In meetings with the government, manufacturers, and buyers, I expressed our condolences for the victims of devastating fire at Tazreen factory," he said.
The US Assistant Secretary of State underscored the necessity to introduce independent labour unions at the local garment factories and ensure workers' safety.
"These actions will help Bangladesh brand itself as a country committed to workers' rights and workers' safety, and thereby attract new investments to its garment and other sectors," he told the briefing.
Mr Blake said on the eastern frontier of the New Silk Road, Bangladesh is demonstrating leadership in developing constructive relationships with its neighbours, working with them to resolve long-standing and complex issues, and developing new areas of mutual cooperation.
After reaching important agreements on boundary issues, Bangladesh doubled exports to India over the past year, he added.
"As Burma opens its borders and markets, Bangladesh has made helpful offers of expertise and access to support Burma's emergence onto the global economic stage. The United States welcomes these steps towards greater regional connectivity and economic integration. Everyone stands to benefit when ideas, goods, and people move more freely and efficiently across borders," Mr Blake said in his briefing.
US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert O Blake expressed Tuesday in Dhaka deep concern over the ongoing violence and political unrest in Bangladesh and said those would only give wrong signals to investors and dent the reputation of the country.
He urged both ruling and opposition parties to resolve their political differences through dialogue saying whatever consensus they reach would be 'acceptable to the international community'.
"We are deeply concerned over the current violence and hartal," Mr Blake told a press briefing, held at a local hotel at the end of his four-day visit to Bangladesh.
"Investors like to see predictability and safe and easy working environment. Violence and shutdowns are considered to be difficult problems for investment," he noted.
The ongoing situation on the political front would have a deeper and harmful effect on Bangladesh's reputation and its efforts to attract new investment, he said further.
"Both the parties should try to resolve their differences peacefully. They should try to resolve their differences in parliament, where debates should take place," Mr Blake told the briefing.
He strongly condemned the death of three people including Biswajit Das in last Sunday's violence and called upon the government to ensure justice for the deceased.
"I was particularly horrified to see on the front pages of many of your newspapers the pictures of a young man, who was beaten to death," he said.
On the arrest of Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the acting secretary general of Bangladesh Nationalist Party, the US Assistant Secretary of State said, "I hope his constitutional rights will be upheld."
Asked to comment on the reported Skype communication by chairman of the international crimes tribunal, Mr Blake said the US wanted to see the tribunal maintain its neutrality and international standard.
"The US supports a credible, independent, transparent process to bring the perpetrators to justice in accordance with the international standards of law," said Blake.
Robert Blake arrived in Dhaka on December 8 to attend a symposium on women entrepreneurship. He, during his stay in Dhaka, met Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, International Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister Gowher Rizvi and Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia.
Responding to a question, Mr Blake said the Trade and Investment Cooperation Framework Agreement (Ticfa), if signed between Dhaka and Washington, would give a positive signal to international labour fronts as the proposed agreement has adequate commitments to implement labour standards in both the countries.
"We are very close to signing Ticfa," Mr Blake told the media.
The US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs in his written speech said the world had been especially inspired by the work of BRAC and Grameen Bank, which have unleashed the potential of millions of women in Bangladesh and around the world to not only improve their own livelihoods, but also to contribute to long-lasting economic growth in their communities and countries.
"We have also long noted our strong support for a timely and transparent selection of a highly qualified Managing Director, who will ensure the continued integrity and effectiveness of Grameen Bank as an institution, and who will ensure that the interests of all of its shareholders, particularly women, are protected," he said.
Robert O Blake said the US is keen to work with the government to improve labour conditions.
"In meetings with the government, manufacturers, and buyers, I expressed our condolences for the victims of devastating fire at Tazreen factory," he said.
The US Assistant Secretary of State underscored the necessity to introduce independent labour unions at the local garment factories and ensure workers' safety.
"These actions will help Bangladesh brand itself as a country committed to workers' rights and workers' safety, and thereby attract new investments to its garment and other sectors," he told the briefing.
Mr Blake said on the eastern frontier of the New Silk Road, Bangladesh is demonstrating leadership in developing constructive relationships with its neighbours, working with them to resolve long-standing and complex issues, and developing new areas of mutual cooperation.
After reaching important agreements on boundary issues, Bangladesh doubled exports to India over the past year, he added.
"As Burma opens its borders and markets, Bangladesh has made helpful offers of expertise and access to support Burma's emergence onto the global economic stage. The United States welcomes these steps towards greater regional connectivity and economic integration. Everyone stands to benefit when ideas, goods, and people move more freely and efficiently across borders," Mr Blake said in his briefing.