What Washington says about US-Bangladesh relations before John Kerry's visit

The US embassy in Dhaka has issued a factsheet on Dhaka-Washington relations just before Secretary of State John Kerry’s visit on Aug 29.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 27 August 2016, 02:03 PM
Updated : 27 August 2016, 06:39 PM

Here’s what they said:

“The United States and Bangladesh share a long history of cooperation.  Our strong bilateral relationship is bolstered by our shared efforts to confront global challenges such as violent extremism, climate change, health, and food security.

While it continues to face many challenges, Bangladesh has achieved two decades of extraordinary economic growth and made tremendous strides in reducing poverty and improving maternal and child health.  We are a proud partner in assisting Bangladesh’s steady progress toward middle income status.

We share a vision for a democratic, moderate, and tolerant Bangladesh that serves as a bridge for trade and commerce between South and Southeast Asia and an anchor for stability and prosperity in the Bay of Bengal region.  We believe the existence of viable political parties and ensuring freedom of media and speech are essential for Bangladesh to fulfill its true potential as a vibrant, secure democracy.

1.      The country has achieved two decades of extraordinary growth approaching an average rate of nearly six percent annually.

2.      In the last three decades, Bangladesh has emerged as a leading global player in clothing.  Bangladesh’s apparel manufacturing now accounts for nearly $25 billion in annual exports and has allowed four million women workers to take part in the country’s growing prosperity.

3.      Bangladesh is a top contributor of international peacekeepers, helping bring security to people’s lives from Ethiopia to East Timor.  Currently Bangladesh has more than 7,000 troops deployed in 10 United Nations Peacekeeping Operations.

4.      Bangladesh regularly contributes to humanitarian operations throughout the region.  Examples include providing doctors and relief supplies to Kathmandu in the wake of Nepal's 2015 earthquake, delivering relief to Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Japan as those nations recovered from natural disasters, and providing humanitarian assistance to Philippines and the Maldives.

5.      Bangladesh has achieved extraordinary progress on health metrics.  Its maternal and child health programs achieved the Millennium Development Goals and have ensured that a higher proportion of children get an education, receive proper health care, and escape the shackles of poverty.  USAID has helped Bangladesh reduce maternal and child mortality by more than 60 percent since 1990.

6.      The country has achieved self-sufficiency in food production.  USAID has helped more than one million, small-scale farmers increase the efficiency of their rice production by introducing a new fertilizer technology and higher yielding seeds. Thanks to USAID’s efforts, the average yield of rice has increased about 7 percent since 2010.  USAID programs helped more than one million farmers raise fish and shrimp production, increasing sales by more than $103 million. USAID is also promoting homestead gardening and nutritional messaging to help improve the dietary diversity in rural households.

7.      Bangladesh has reduced its poverty rate from over half of the population to less than a third.

8.      The U.S. Government, through USAID, has provided more than $6 billion in development assistance to Bangladesh since 1971.  The United States remains committed to supporting development in Bangladesh.  Funding levels for USAID are currently quite expansive at nearly $200 million annually, and our USAID Mission in Bangladesh is one of our largest worldwide.

9.      Bangladesh is a key partner country for the U.S. Government’s three major development initiatives: Feed the Future (addressing global food insecurity), Global Climate Change and the Global Health Initiative.  Additionally, USAID provides assistance to address gender-based violence, empower women, and combat both human and wildlife trafficking.

10.       Approximately 5,455 Bangladeshis are studying in the United States, almost 60 percent at the graduate level.  Bangladesh is close to joining the top 25 sending countries of foreign students to the United States (as of 2015, Bangladesh ranks 27th).

11.       Approximately 3,000 Bangladeshis are alumni of U.S. exchange programs, including those on Fulbright and Humphrey Fellowships, International Visitor Leadership Programs, and Study of the U.S. Institutes."