Bangladesh News Bangladesh - U.S.A Relation

[Isa Khan]

The United States has said they look forward to continuing to exchange views with Bangladesh on the newly launched Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF).

"Bangladesh is an important regional partner of the United States," acting US Embassy Spokesperson Bryan Schiller told media on Monday.

Schiller said they have been in contact with Bangladesh about the IPEF since the Partnership Dialogue in March and at regular intervals in Dhaka and Washington.

The US seeks to address the 21st century economic challenges, including the digital economy, clean energy transition, and supply chain resiliency.

US President Joe Biden on Monday launched a new trade deal with 12 Indo-Pacific nations aimed at strengthening their economies as he warned Americans worried about high inflation that it was "going to be a haul" before they feel relief, reports AP.

The president said he does not believe an economic recession is inevitable in the US.

Biden, speaking at a news conference after holding talks with Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, acknowledged the US economy has "problems" but said they were "less consequential than the rest of the world has."

The comments came just before Biden's launch of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, a new trade deal his administration designed to signal US dedication to the contested economic sphere and to address the need for stability in commerce after disruptions caused by the pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Nations joining the US in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework are Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Along with the United States, they represent 40% of world GDP.

The countries said in a joint statement that the pact will help them collectively "prepare our economies for the future" following disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Washington in touch with Dhaka on newly launched IPEF

Bangladesh is an important regional partner of the United States, says the acting US Embassy spokesperson

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The United States has briefed Bangladesh on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and Bangladesh welcomed additional information on the supply chain resilience and decarbonization pillars of the IPEF.

Bangladesh also sought U.S. technical assistance to sustainably explore its ocean resources and further develop its blue economy in pursuit of environmental protection and economic prosperity.

The issues came up for discussion at the second Bangladesh-US high-level economic consultation held in Washington, DC on Thursday.

Adviser for Private Industry and Investment to the Prime Minister Salman F. Rahman and US Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez co-chaired the discussion.

US President Joe Biden launched the IPEF with a dozen initial partners: Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Together, they represent 40% of world GDP.

Earlier on Wednesday, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter D. Haas said there will be opportunities for other countries to join in the recently launched Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF).

There have been consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in March regarding the IPEF and the ambassador hoped that Bangladesh will follow it closely.

Both countries share a common vision of a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and secure Indo-Pacific region with shared prosperity for all, according to a joint statement issued by the US Department of State on Friday after the high-level economic consultation.

Bangladesh highlighted that re-starting non-stop flights between New York City and Dhaka is a high priority.

Both sides are committed to taking the next steps to move this forward at the earliest.

Washington briefs Dhaka on Indo-Pacific economic framework

Re-starting non-stop flights between NYC, Dhaka a high priority for Bangladesh

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Joint Exercise.

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The United States has briefed Bangladesh on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and Bangladesh welcomed additional information on the supply chain resilience and decarbonization pillars of the IPEF.

Bangladesh also sought U.S. technical assistance to sustainably explore its ocean resources and further develop its blue economy in pursuit of environmental protection and economic prosperity.

The issues came up for discussion at the second Bangladesh-US high-level economic consultation held in Washington, DC on Thursday.

Adviser for Private Industry and Investment to the Prime Minister Salman F. Rahman and US Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez co-chaired the discussion.

US President Joe Biden launched the IPEF with a dozen initial partners: Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Together, they represent 40% of world GDP.

Earlier on Wednesday, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter D. Haas said there will be opportunities for other countries to join in the recently launched Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF).

There have been consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in March regarding the IPEF and the ambassador hoped that Bangladesh will follow it closely.

Both countries share a common vision of a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and secure Indo-Pacific region with shared prosperity for all, according to a joint statement issued by the US Department of State on Friday after the high-level economic consultation.

Bangladesh highlighted that re-starting non-stop flights between New York City and Dhaka is a high priority.

Both sides are committed to taking the next steps to move this forward at the earliest.

Washington briefs Dhaka on Indo-Pacific economic framework

Re-starting non-stop flights between NYC, Dhaka a high priority for Bangladesh

www.tbsnews.net

Bangladesh is still not satisfied about Washington's briefing and will not join IPEF if it doesn't benefit Bangladesh.

 

[Isa Khan]

A four-day-long Indo-Pacific Armies Management Seminar (IPAMS) will kick off on 12 September with senior army officials of more than 30 Indo-Pacific countries participating.

Bangladesh Army and US Army Pacific (USARPAC) will jointly arrange the event in Dhaka and Cox's Bazar, said an ISPR press release.

Ahead of the seminar, a three-day Mid Planning Conference (MPC) in Bangladesh, with members of the Bangladesh Army and US Army Pacific (USARPAC) participating, started on 12 June.

Chief of Army Staff, General S M Shafiuddin Ahmed, on Tuesday-- the last day of the MPC-- unveiled the logo and inaugurated the website of the 46th IPAMS with senior officers of the Bangladesh Army and US Army Pacific present.

This year, the Bangladesh Army will arrange the global event for the third time. At the seminar, the US Army and the Indo-Pacific Region Army, in a spirit of cooperation, sympathy and concerted effort, discuss various issues of greater interest to the region.

The theme of the seminar is "Prospects and challenges of maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region". The event is held annually to determine the appropriate course of action.

The IPAMS is the largest land forces seminar and preeminent engagement in the Indo-Pacific region to exchange views and ideas, develop strong interpersonal relationships, to discuss professional military subjects, and strengthen existing bonds.

Through professional communication between the Bangladesh Army and the US Army, bilateral relations between the two countries will be strengthened as well as the development of overall relations. This will hopefully brighten the image of the country and the quality of professionalism of the army will be exposed in the international arena.

The seminar will also showcase the cultural heritage of Bangladesh with traditional cultural programs.

More information about the 46th IPAMS is available on its newly-inaugurated website, https://ipams.army.mil.bd

46th Indo-Pacific Military Seminar in September

Ahead of the seminar, there is a 3-day Mid Planning Conference in Bangladesh that started on 12 June with the participation of the Bangladesh and US Armies

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Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen today said his ministry is currently studying different aspects of newly formed Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) to determine whether it would be beneficial for Bangladesh to join.

"We are studying on it (IPEF)," he told media at his office when he was approached to make comments on Bangladesh's stand on the new economic framework.

On 23 May , in Tokyo US President Biden launched the IPEF with 12 other countries- Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam - which together represent 40 percent of world GDP.

The USA said there would be opportunities for other countries to join in IPEF and Washington expects that Bangladesh would follow it closely.

While asking China's stand on IPEF, the foreign minister said there may be observations of different countries on whether Dhaka should join IPEF or not, "but we will only do that protects our national interest".
He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina never compromises over the betterment of the country while the Padma Bridge is a big example of her firm stand for national interest.

"So, we are very happy that we have very strong leadership, we will do whatever we can for the good of our country," he said.

"But, we will also hear advice from others, there is no harm to hear" Dr Momen said.

The foreign minister said the IPEF has put emphasis on four pillars - supply chain resilience, data management, corruption and money laundering and free and fair trade in Indo-pacific.

He said Dhaka has no observation regarding supply chain and inclusive and open navigation in Indo-pacific area for free trade. "(As like IPEF), we also want no disruption on the supply chain, so we have nothing to worry," he said.

Beside, the minister said, the concept of free and open Indo-Pacific matches with Dhaka's principles as Bangladesh wants to see free, inclusive and secure navigation in the region being situated on tip of the Bay of Bengal.

"But, I don't know what is in that (IPEF) apart from our principles," he said.

The minister said it is a good sign that IPEF wants to put emphasis on money laundering issue as most of the banks in western countries don't disclose account information of foreign nationals due to their privacy acts.

"It's good news, as we do not allow anyone to illegally transfer money from the country ... so we have to look into this," he added.

Regarding the Data Management, the minister said, Dhaka needs to figure out what is under this topic.

Recently, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas said here that the US first started consulting with Bangladesh foreign ministry about IPEF in March by sharing information in the bilateral dialogues privately.

Dhaka looks into Indo-Pacific Economic Framework: Momen

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen today said his ministry is currently studying different aspects of newly formed Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) to determine whether it would be beneficial for Bangladesh to join.

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Throughout June, members of the U.S. Army took part in Balance Bengal, a training exercise with the Bangladesh Coast Guard in Patuakhali. The training exercise focused on preparing the

Coast Guard for disaster response challenges they are likely to face in the future. Over three weeks, American and Bangladeshi participants developed their skills in first aid, water craft search and rescue, and disaster response.

 

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More than half of the US apparel executives plan to source more from Bangladesh than from China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia and other competitors over the next two years, according to the USFIA 2022 Fashion Industry Benchmarking Study.

According to the report published by the United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA), around 55% of the US apparel executives expressed their interest to increase sourcing from Bangladesh till 2024, including 3% who expected a strong increase.

When asked from which countries or regions the US fashion companies planned to increase their sourcing value in the next two years, India led the way, followed by CAFTA-DR region and Bangladesh, with all three selected by more than half of the respondents, said the report.

CAFTA-DR or Dominican Republic-Central America FTA is the first free trade agreement between the United States and a group of smaller developing economies – Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Dominican Republic.

Mexico ranked the fourth, while Indonesia and Vietnam tied for the fifth position on the list of destinations from where the US buyers plan to increase sourcing.

Fazlul Hoque, managing director at Plummy Fashions Limited and former president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), told TBS the report of this study is logical.

He said the US buyers are convinced that Bangladesh has developed the capacity in the last few years to produce garment products other than the basic items. Currently they are placing a lot of orders for knitwear items from Bangladesh. As a result, the export growth of Bangladesh RMG products in that market in the last few months was more than 50%.

He also said since India has its own raw materials, they are able to export clothes at a relatively low price, which might be the reason that they are on top of the buyers' choice.

USFIA Fashion Industry Benchmarking Study is a survey of executives from over 30 leading fashion brands, retailers, importers, and wholesalers, including some of the largest brands and retailers in the country.

More than 85% respondents in the survey plan to cut their cotton apparel imports from China, while 45% said they will further reduce non-cotton apparel imports.

Asia remains the dominant sourcing base for US fashion companies.

Almost all the top ten most-utilised apparel sourcing destinations in 2021 are Asia-based, led by China (91%), Vietnam (88%), Bangladesh (84%), and India (72%).

However, there is considerable excitement about increasing apparel sourcing from the CAFTA-DR region.

Reducing "China exposure" is one crucial driver of US fashion companies' sourcing diversification strategy. One-third of respondents have reported sourcing less than 10% of their apparel products from China this year.

In addition, a new record of 50% of respondents has sourced more from Vietnam than China in 2022.

Fashion brands, retailers face challenges

Supply chain disruptions remain a major challenge over two years into the global pandemic.

Almost all the survey respondents said shipping delays and supply chain disruptions are one of their top business challenges in 2022.

Over 95% of respondents expect implementation of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) to affect their company's sourcing.

Most respondents (over 92%) do not plan to reduce apparel sourcing from Asian countries other than China.

However, nearly 60% of respondents would also "explore new sourcing destinations outside Asia" in response to UFLPA.

USFIA based its new report on a survey of 34 executives at "leading" US fashion companies, 81% of which have more than 1,000 employees. Approximately 70% self-identified as retailers, 67% as importers and wholesalers and 40 percent as brands. USFIA conducted its survey between April and June.

US fashion industry: Bangladesh to get more orders than China, Vietnam over next 2 years

Bangladesh was behind India and CAFTA-DR region on the list of destinations from where the US buyers plan to increase sourcing

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6th Land Forces Talks.

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Partner nation officer students from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines conduct M240B machine gun familiarization in the Patrol Craft Officer-Coastal course before shooting live ammunition, on a range near the John C. Stennis Space Center, Mississippi, August 9, 2022. The student officers conducted the exercise in order to familiarize themselves with different weapons systems.

 

[Isa Khan]

A recent report by the US Department of State said that corruption was a major obstacle for obtaining foreign investments in Bangladesh, despite gradual progress in reducing some constraints.

Slow adoption of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and sluggish judicial processes impede the enforcement of contracts and the resolution of business disputes, the report said, adding that scarcity of land, depleting natural gas reserves, and inadequate power distribution remained major impediments to investment as well.

Bangladesh has made gradual progress in reducing some constraints on investment, including taking steps to better ensure reliable electricity, but inadequate infrastructure, limited financing instruments, bureaucratic delays, lax enforcement of labor laws, and corruption continue to hinder foreign investment, said "The 2022 Investment Climate Statement" released on Thursday.

The report also said that the sectors with active investments from overseas included agribusiness, garment, leather goods, light manufacturing, power and energy, electronics, light engineering, information and communications technology (ICT), plastic, healthcare, medical equipment, pharmaceutical, shipbuilding, and infrastructure.

Despite unease of doing business in Bangladesh, its government offered a range of investment incentives under its industrial policy and export-oriented growth strategy with few formal distinctions between foreign and domestic private investors, it further said.

It added that the government's efforts to improve the business environment in recent years show promise but implementation has yet to materialize.

Corruption was also widely perceived to be endemic at all levels of society, discouraging investments and inhibiting economic growth, the report stated.

It also said that security challenges were also hindering investment and trade opportunities in the country in some areas.

Land disputes were also acting as major barriers to investment, the US State Department report said.

The report also stated that Bangladesh's garment sector has made significant progress on fire and structural safety due to unprecedented support from the international community and the private sector.

The Bangladeshi government has limited resources devoted to intellectual property rights (IPR) protection and counterfeit goods are readily available in Bangladesh. Government policies in the ICT sector are still under development. Current policies grant the government broad powers to intervene in that sector, the report said.

According to the report, electricity generation capacity had grown significantly over the last decade, but transmission and distribution systems needed additional work to ensure more reliable and inclusive access to electricity.

Reputable companies have complained the Bangladesh National Board of Revenue (NBR) has inconsistently subjected businesses' prior-year tax returns to renewed scrutiny. While this process is taking place, normal business activities such as banking, immigration procedures for foreign staff, and branch office licensing permissions may be slowed or stopped entirely, the statement said.

Stating that the country's financial sector is still highly dependent on banks, capital markets in Bangladesh are still developing, the report further said.

Economic weaknesses also include an undeveloped and undercapitalized financial sector, an inefficient and chronically loss-making public sector, and a decision-averse bureaucracy that often resists measures to improve the business climate, the US State Department added.

'Corruption key barrier for FDI in Bangladesh'

Scarcity of land, depleting natural gas reserves, and inadequate power distribution remained major impediments to investment

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State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali on Friday said operation of Biman Bangladesh Airlines direct flight on the Sylhet-New York route will begin soon.

"Sylhet Osmani International Airport is being developed to make the airport the regional hub following the directives of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina," he said.

"We are working to upgrade the airport's international standard," he told journalists after a meeting with the authorities of Sylhet Osmani International Airport.

Earlier, the state minister joined a meeting over the land acquisition of the airport.

State minister: Biman's flight on Sylhet-New York route soon

Sylhet Osmani International Airport is being developed following directives of the premier

www.dhakatribune.com

 

[Isa Khan]

US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has said the United States are working to significantly increase resettlement of Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh.

"As an essential component of an international, comprehensive humanitarian response, we are working to significantly increase resettlement of Rohingya refugees from the region, including from Bangladesh, so that they can rebuild their lives in the United States," he said.

Reaffirming support, Blinken said that the United States remains committed to advancing justice and accountability for Rohingya and all the people of Myanmar, reports UNB.

"We continue to support the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar, the case under the Genocide Convention that The Gambia has brought against Burma (Myanmar) before the International Court of Justice, and credible courts around the world that have jurisdiction in cases involving Burmese military's atrocity crimes," he added.

Marking five years since the genocide in Myanmar, Blinken said the United States also supports measures by the UN Security Council to promote justice and accountability for the military's actions in line with its mandate to promote international peace and security.

In this vein, he said, the United States would support a UN Security Council referral of the situation in Burma to the International Criminal Court.

Five years ago, Myanmar's military launched a brutal campaign against Rohingya - razing villages, raping, torturing, and perpetrating large-scale violence that killed thousands of Rohingya men, women, and children.

More than 740,000 Rohingya were forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in Bangladesh.

"In March of this year, I spoke at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and attested that the atrocities committed by the Burmese military against Rohingya amounted to crimes against humanity and constitute genocide," Blinken said.

Since the February 2021 military coup d'etat, many of the same military forces continue to repress, torture, and kill the people of Burma in a blatant attempt to extinguish Myanmar's democratic future.

The regime's recent executions of pro-democracy and opposition leaders is only the latest example of the military's abject disregard for the lives of the Burmese people.

Its escalation of violence has exacerbated the worsening humanitarian situation, particularly for ethnic and religious minority communities, including Rohingya, who continue to remain among the most vulnerable and marginalized populations in the country, Blinken said.

Since 2017, the United States has sought pathways to continue to support the Rohingya, recognizing that they cannot safely return to their homeland of Myanmar under current conditions.

"We have provided more than $1.7 billion to assist those affected by the crisis in Myanmar, Bangladesh, and elsewhere in the region, remaining the leading single donor of life-saving humanitarian assistance to those whose lives have been upended by the violence in Rakhine State," said the US Secretary of State.

The United States stands in solidarity with the government of Bangladesh and other Rohingya-hosting governments in the region, he said.

The United States said it will continue to support Rohingya and the people of Burma in their pursuit of freedom and inclusive democracy by advancing justice and accountability, increasing economic and diplomatic pressure, and safeguarding the human rights and human dignity of all individuals in Myanmar.

US to take Rohingyas from Bangladesh: Blinken

The United States said it will continue to support Rohingya and the people of Burma in their pursuit of freedom and inclusive democracy by advancing justice and accountability, increasing economic and diplomatic pressure, and safeguarding the human rights and human dignity of all individuals in...

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[Isa Khan]

Members of the Bangladesh Navy observe a brief during the Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) 2022 command post exercise at Changi Naval Base Aug. 23, 2022. In its 21st year, SEACAT is a multilateral exercise designed to enhance cooperation among 21 participating Southeast Asian countries and provide mutual support and a common goal to address crises, contingencies, and illegal activities in the maritime domain in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

 

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Security cooperation is a vital element of the U.S.- Bangladesh partnership, and this week acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Programs and Operations in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs Donna Welton visited Dhaka to explore ways to expand this cooperation. She met with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of the Bangladesh military to discuss the way in which the United States is supporting Bangladesh’s leading role in UN peacekeeping operations.

Those discussions included our support for Bangladesh’s pledge to develop an unmanned aerial systems capability for UN operations. During her visit she also participated in the annual Indo-Pacific Armies Management Seminar (IPAMS), the largest land forces conference in the region, hosted by the Bangladesh Army and U.S. Army Pacific. Finally, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Welton visited the BIISS and BIPSS offices to discuss regional security, gender issues, and human rights. Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Welton’s visit underscores the United States’ commitment to our military-to-military cooperation which makes both our nations more secure.

 

[Isa Khan]

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