Bangladesh-US Partnership Dialogue ends on positive note

The co-chairs of the Partnership Dialogue highlighted the robust and growing bilateral ties between the United States and Bangladesh, a relationship based on shared values and common goals of the two countries and their people, including the vibrant Bangladeshi-American diaspora.

They reaffirmed their commitment to further broaden, deepen, and strengthen the partnership. The co-chairs and their delegations engaged productively on a wide range of topics, including democracy and governance, trade and investment, security cooperation, and regional integration. Throughout her meetings in Dhaka, Under Secretary Sherman stressed the importance of an inclusive democratic process and free, fair and credible elections.

During the Dialogue, Under Secretary Sherman announced:

The creation of a $2 million program, as part of President Obama’s Global Health initiative, to improve the management of deadly tuberculosis through the private health sector in Bangladesh. Funded through USAID, this program will improve the detection and treatment of tuberculosis in private sector hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies.

The creation of a new five-year, $8 million program award, as part of President Obama’s Global Climate Change initiative, to the World Bank to expand the use of solar energy in Bangladesh. Under this Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy II program, USAID is contributing to the installation of solar home systems, power grids, and irrigation pumps.

The U.S. is funding an assessment to measure point source emissions of black carbon (soot) from select industrial sites across the country. This assessment, also part of President Obama’s Global Climate Change initiative, complements U.S.-Bangladesh collaboration on the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants, of which the United States and Bangladesh are founding members.

USAID has launched a new three-year, $7 million program to improve the economic and nutritional status of 100,000 people in southern Bangladesh. This horticulture activity, launched under President Obama’s Global Food Security initiative, will expand the production and consumption of a variety of local vegetables, increase the use of integrated pest management practices, and expand cold chain systems.

The successful transfer of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Jarvis to the Bangladesh Navy. Renamed the Somudra Joy, she is now the largest ship in the Bangladesh Navy.

The opening of an American Business Corner at the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry which will be a repository of literature, data, and catalogues to promote U.S.-Bangladesh business ties.

The inauguration of a $1 million U.S. assistance program for law enforcement capacity building to combat transnational crime and terrorism.