Bangladesh’s Minister of Shipping, Khalid Mahmud Choudhury, has expressed that the United States is interested in contributing to Bangladesh’s development and progress, especially in the field of naval transportation.
During a meeting with the newly appointed U.S. Ambassador Peter Haslach at his office in Dhaka on Tuesday, Minister Choudhury shared this information with journalists.
He mentioned that the U.S. has praised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for leading the country forward, and also commended the initiatives taken by the Speaker, Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury. The U.S. is keen on investing in Bangladesh and has shown interest in the overall development of the country.
Discussions were held on matters related to the country’s naval sector and the Ministry of Shipping, as well as issues concerning international vessels and port security (ISPS code). The U.S. Coast Guard has conducted inspections of the Mongla Seaport, and Bangladesh is cooperating with them on various dredger acquisitions.
The U.S. has expressed interest in investing through organizations like the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) and EXIM Bank. They are particularly interested in investing in the development of deep-sea ports such as Matarbari, Chittagong, Mongla, and Payra. They have also shown an interest in supporting our firefighting challenges.
Minister Choudhury highlighted that Matarbari Port is considered a new port with great potential and that the U.S. is willing to invest in various opportunities there. He expressed Bangladesh’s willingness to collaborate with the U.S. on issues related to natural disasters and challenges, and to seek their support in these areas.
The discussions also covered matters related to the safety and security of the ports, and the Minister stated that the U.S. is very pleased with the progress made in the development of Chittagong Port. Challenges were discussed, and the U.S. has shown an interest in assisting Bangladesh in overcoming them.
Regarding the response to investment proposals, the U.S. Ambassador has expressed their keen interest. They want to know where and how investments can be made in Bangladesh to enhance the country’s progress. The discussions were family-oriented and not politically driven.
It is evident from the talks that the U.S. is very interested in investing and supporting Bangladesh’s progress and development. Today’s conversation with Ambassador Peter Haslach also reflects their enthusiasm for Bangladesh’s advancement.
