US wants to partner with BD for greater economic growth

SYLHET, Oct 22: US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller has said Bangladesh economy is growing rapidly. Bilateral trade has been on rise day by day.
The ambassador was addressing an exchange of views meeting as the chief guest organised by Sylhet Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) at a hotel in Sylhet town on Monday night.
SCCI President Abu Taher Md Shoeb presided over the meeting.
"We had more than $8.2 billion in two-way trade last year, double what it was only a few years ago. We work together on different issues like labour rights and RMG factory security issues. The US trade missions often visit Bangladesh," Mr Miller said, adding, "I would suggest them to visit Sylhet."
Most of the US companies here have more than 95 per cent Bangladeshi employees, the ambassador said. Chevron is a great contributor in energy sector here, he added.
The US wants to partner with Bangladesh for even greater economic growth and success, the envoy further said.
The Bangladeshi-origin people in the US had been on rise day by day while the economic ties are also on the way up.
The SCCI president drew the ambassador's attention for US investors to invest at the Srihatta Economic Zone and on the Bangabondhu Hi-tech Park, being established in Sylhet region.
He also called for easing the US visa procedure for Bangladeshi travellers, especially the families of Bangladeshi students alongside the business people.
SCCI Vice-President Tahmin Ahmed, directors Md. Nazrul Islam, Shahjalal University's Associate Professor Fazle Elahi Md Faisal and Baraka Power's Director Fahim Ahmed Chowdhury also spoke on the occasion, among others.
The ambassador had been on a three-day visit to Sylhet region since Monday. Yesterday he visited the Ratargul Swamp Forest. Today he visited the city suburban Jalalabad Gas Field, operated by the US Company Chevron. Besides, the envoy would meet the Divisional Commissioner tomorrow morning.
The embassy's Counsellor of Political and Economic Affairs Brent Christensen and Anne Sherman of the Political and Economic Section accompanied the envoy.

[email protected]