Bangladesh News Bangladesh - U.S.A Relation

[Isa Khan]

Advanced Chemical Industries Limited, commonly known as ACI, has made its first-ever direct export of pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh to the United States of America.

The company said this at an event held in the capital on Thursday.

The products were shipped from the US Food and Drug Administration-approved facility of ACI HealthCare Ltd in Narayanganj to the company’s subsidiary in ACI Healthcare USA, Inc.

M Mohibuz Zaman, managing director and chief executive officer of ACI HealthCare Limited, said that ACI Healthcare USA was the first Bangladeshi company in America.

It is a matter of huge pride that ACI is currently a common name in the US healthcare distribution system, he added.

Abul Bashar Mohammed Khurshid Alam, director general at the Directorate General of Health Services, and Major General Mohammad Yousuf, director general at the Directorate General of Drug Administration, were present as special guests at the event.

ACI Group chairman M Anis Ud Dowla and managing director of ACI Ltd Arif Dowla were also present at the event.

It is the first time that a Bangladeshi pharmaceutical company has been marketing, selling and distributing pharmaceuticals directly in the US market, said Md Wadud Hossain Siddiquee, ACI product manager.

ACI HealthCare Limited, a sister concern of ACI, was established on February 18, 2013, to manufacture and market pharmaceutical products for regulated markets, especially in the USA.

ACI has been exporting pharmaceuticals to 50 countries and has product marketing approval from 15 countries.

ACI begins direct drug export to US

Advanced Chemical Industries Limited, commonly known as ACI, has made its first-ever direct export of pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh to the United States of America. The company said this at an event held in the capital...

www.newagebd.net

Bangladesh’s apparel and textile exports to the United States crossed $10 billion in 2022 amid global economic volatility as the US shifted a good chunk of its business from China.

According to the latest US Department of Commerce’s Office of Textiles and Apparel data released on Tuesday, the US apparel and textile imports from Bangladesh in 2022 grew by 35.38 per cent to $10.04 billion compared with that of $7.42 billion in 2021.

Readymade garment exports from Bangladesh to the US in 2022 increased by 36.38 per cent to $9.74 billion from $7.14 billion in 2021, the data showed.

Share of Bangladeshi apparel in the US market in 2022 increased to 9.75 per cent from 8.76 per cent in 2021, the OTEXA data showed.

Exporters said that Bangladesh gained share in the US market in 2022 due to the China plus one policy of North America.

They said that the US started relocating its sourcing from China after a trade war began between the two countries in 2018 and it would not end in near future.

Exporters said that Bangladesh received a chunk of business shifted from China and at the same time buyers relocated their manufacturing from Myanmar to Bangladesh.

Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu, managing director of Rising Group, said that Bangladesh’s share in the US apparel market would increase more in coming days as shifting from China by the western buyers would continue.

The total US imports of readymade garments from the world in 2022 increased by 22.48 per cent to nearly $100 billion compared with that of $51.59 billion in 2021.

The OTEXA data showed that Bangladesh’s position remained unchanged as the third-largest apparel exporter in the US market with 9.75 per cent share while China and Vietnam occupied the first and the second highest positions with 21.75 per cent and 18.26 per cent share respectively.

The market share of Chinese apparel was 24.03 per cent in 2021.

The data showed that the import of apparel by the US from China in 2022 grew by 10.83 per cent to $21.73 billion from $19.61billion in 2021.

After the Rana Plaza building collapse in 2013, which killed more than 1,100 people of whom mostly were readymade garment workers, the US government suspended duty-free market access of Bangladeshi products under generalised system of preferences showing poor working condition as an excuse although RMG was never entitled for the GSP facility on the US market.

In 2013, Bangladesh’s share of the US apparel market was 6.20 per cent and the share increased to 9.75 per cent in past nine years.

The share of Chinese apparel in the US market was 37.32 per cent in 2013 and it decreased to 21.75 per cent in 2022, the US data showed.

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Faruque Hassan said that growth of apparel exports to the US market was encouraging as Bangladeshi suppliers gained confidence of global buyers amid a supply chain disruption caused by the Russia-Ukraine war.

He said that export earnings increased amid the global economic slowdown as unit prices increased due to the price hike of raw materials and growing shipment of high value added products.

RMG imports by the US from Vietnam in 2022 increased by 26.97 per cent to $18.24 billion from $14.37 billion in the past year.

India’s RMG exports to the US market in 2022 grew by 35.50 per cent to $5.68 billion from $4.19 billion in the previous year.

RMG imports by the US from Indonesia in 2022 increased by 35.29 per cent to $5.60 billion while the imports from Cambodia grew by 28.46 per cent to $4.35 billion in the year, the OTEXA data showed.

Bangladesh’s RMG exports to US cross $10b in 2022

Bangladesh’s apparel and textile exports to the United States crossed $10 billion in 2022 amid global economic volatility as the US shifted a good chunk of its business from China. According to the latest...

www.newagebd.net

 

[Isa Khan]

For the second consecutive quarter, the United States of America has been the biggest source of remittance for Bangladesh, leaving the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in second place even though the Middle Eastern nation hired the highest number of workers during the period.

Bangladeshis in the North American country sent $966.89 million in the October-December period of 2022, up nearly 16 per cent from $834 million a year ago.

As such, remittance from the USA accounted for 20.06 per cent of the total remittance inflow of $4,820 million in the October-December period of last year, according to the Quarterly Report on Remittance Inflows in Bangladesh released by the central bank yesterday.

However, migrants sent a lower amount of remittance in the second quarter of fiscal year (FY) 2022-23 compared to the same period a year ago.

Migrants sent home $910 million in the October-December period of FY23, down 19.5 per cent from the same quarter a year ago, according to the Bangladesh Bank report.

The central bank report showed that overall remittance inflow declined 0.22 per cent year-on-year to $4,820 million in the October-December period from a year ago.

The inflow of remittance, one of the key pillars of Bangladesh's economy, also fell 15 per cent on a quarter-to-quarter basis as migrants sent home a lower amount of money.

"Amid the global price hike that adversely affected migrants' real income, their remittance fell as well," the report said.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and United Kingdom were the third and fourth biggest sources of remittance for Bangladesh during the October-December quarter followed by Kuwait, Qatar, Malaysia and Oman.

The Bangladesh Bank report said the KSA was the biggest destination for workers during the quarter as the Middle Eastern country hired 98,765 Bangladeshis, which was 37.8 per cent of the roughly 261,134 workers who left the country for jobs.

Malaysia, Oman, the UAE and Singapore were the other top employing countries of Bangladeshi migrant workers during the quarter.

Islami Bank Bangladesh received the largest amount of remittance with $1,246 million, which was 25.86 per cent of the total remittance inflow during the quarter.

The state-run Agrani Bank and private Dutch Bangla Bank were the second and third largest recipients of remittance during October-December period, according to the report.

US remains top source of remittance

For the second consecutive quarter, the United States of America has been the biggest source of remittance for Bangladesh, leaving the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in second place even though the Middle Eastern nation hired the highest number of workers during the period.

www.thedailystar.net

 

[Isa Khan]

Security expert Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain yesterday said Bangladesh's security may be undermined if the US provides military support to Myanmar's ethnic groups fighting the military junta.

The US Congress in December last year passed the Burma Unified through Rigorous Military Accountability (Burma) Act meant to provide support to the Myanmar people and civilian forces, including the National Unity Government and to punish the Myanmar junta.

Hussain, former election commissioner, said the Burma Act has a clause of providing non-lethal assistance.

"Using a liberal interpretation of the clause may allow the US to provide military support to the various ethnic armed organisations in Myanmar," he said at a colloquium, titled "Impacts of the 'Burma Act' on Bangladesh-Myanmar Bordering Region", organised by the Center for Peace Studies of the South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance at North South University.

"This may undermine Bangladesh's security as these groups have some ties to the same separatist factions operating in our country," he added.

National Unity Government (NUG) Minister of Health and Education Professor Zaw Wai Soe said the implementation of the Act does not rely on any one single superpower but on a multilateral response.

The NUG and ethnic groups in Myanmar now control about 80 percent of the territory. Soe said the NUG officially recognises the Rohingya as an ethnic group and is in favour of peaceful and full repatriation of the community from Bangladesh to Myanmar.

Bangladesh ambassador to Switzerland Mohammad Sufiur Rahman said the Arakan Army is a key player in the conflict.

Prof Shahidul Haque of SIPG, NSU, discussed ASEAN's role in the conflict and pointed to its repeated shortcomings in addressing the conflict in Myanmar, particularly regarding the ethnic minorities.

The seminar was moderated by Dr Sk Tawfique M Haque, director of SIPG.

‘Burma Act may undermine our security’

Security expert Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain yesterday said Bangladesh’s security may be undermined if the US provides military support to Myanmar’s ethnic groups fighting the military junta.

www.thedailystar.net

BURMA Act: Military support to ethnic armed groups in Myanmar 'may undermine' Bangladesh’s security

Brig Gen (Retd) M. Sakhawat Hussain today (February 22, 2023) said that using a liberal interpretation of the non-lethal assistance clause may allow the United States to provide military support to the various ethnic armed organizations (EAO) in Myanmar which “may undermine” Bangladesh’s...

unb.com.bd

The United States has assured Bangladesh that the implementation of the Burma Act will not contribute to any violence which is “not desired at all” in the region.

The US side mentioned about the Burma Act during Counselor of the US Department of State Derek Chollet’s just-concluded visit though there has been no specific proposal from the US side to Bangladesh.

“We said there are issues to look into so that there is no further instability. They (US side) assured us that their efforts will be there to (help Myanmar) return to democratic process,” said Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen while responding to a specific question.

Briefing reporters at the Foreign Service Academy on Wednesday evening, he said there was no proposal from the US side regarding the Burma Act.

Counselor Chollet has emphasized continued US support to Bangladesh in addressing Rohingya issues.

Overall, the Burma Act requires little change in US policy in Myanmar. However, it does give the Biden administration the discretionary authority to make major changes, if it wishes to do so.

In addition, the Burma Act should also be viewed as an indication that Congress thinks that the Biden administration should take a more active role in supporting the pro-democracy forces in Myanmar in their efforts to overthrow the SAC and establish a democratic government in the country, according to Michael F. Martin, an adjunct fellow (non-resident) with the Southeast Asia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C.

On the Rohingya issue, Counselor Chollet said they are continuously working and trying to help Bangladesh, which is hosting over 1 million Rohingyas, and also trying to deal with the root cause of the crisis in Myanmar.

US to refrain from anything that might contribute to further violence in Myanmar: FS

The United States has assured Bangladesh that the implementation of the Burma Act will not contribute to any violence which is “not desired at all” in the region. The US side mentioned about the

unb.com.bd

 

[Isa Khan]

Bangladesh has the capacity to patrol land and maritime borders and has improved cargo and passenger airport screening with updated equipment, procedures, and increased staff, says a report released on Tuesday (28 February) by the US.

Airline security is not as strong, Bangladesh has initiated e-passports for all and shares information with Interpol, but has no dedicated terrorist watchlist, according to the report. A US "Alert List" project is under government consideration.

Bangladesh does not systematically use API/PNR passenger information to screen travellers before flights arrive, the report claimed.

In 2019, the ATT sentenced to death seven terrorists for their roles in the 2016 Holey Artisan Bakery attack.

The US Department of State issued the 2021 Country Reports on Terrorism (CRT), which provide a detailed look at the counterterrorism environment in that year.

Each year, the CRT provides insight on important issues in the fight against terrorism and helps the United States make informed decisions about policies, programs, and resource allocations to build counterterrorism capacity and resilience around the globe.

Bangladesh has capacity to patrol land and maritime borders; improved airport screening: US report

Bangladesh has the capacity to patrol land and maritime borders and has improved cargo and passenger airport screening with updated equipment, procedures, and increased staff, says a report released on Tuesday by the US. Airline security is not as strong, Bangladesh has initiated e-passports for...

www.tbsnews.net

 

[Isa Khan]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1631142284002734081

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1631107273727832064

 

[Isa Khan]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1631783490231623680

 

[Isa Khan]

The joint exercise between Bangladesh Army and US Pacific Army Command (USARPAC) titled ‘Exercise Tiger Lightning-4’ was formally inaugurated at Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training (BIPSOT) in Rajendrapur Cantonment on Sunday.

BIPSOT Commandant Major General ASM Ridwanur Rahman inaugurated the exercise as the chief guest.

However, the preparation phase of ‘Exercise Tiger Lightning-4’ started on February 26, 2023, the main activities of which started on Sunday with the opening ceremony.

Addressing on the occasion, BIPSOT Commandant Major General ASM Ridwanur Rahman said Exercise Tiger Lightning will contribute effectively to strengthening the existing relationship between the Bangladesh Army and the United States Army.

The Bangladesh Armed Forces have a rich history of conducting successful operations in hostile environments of United Nations peacekeeping missions. On the other hand, the US Armed Forces have extensive experience in operating successfully around the world in various security situations. In this case, the armies of both countries will be benefited by exchanging experiences with each other, he also said.

Brigadier General Gregory Thomas Day, Land Component Commander, Oregon National Guard, on behalf of the USARPAC, addressed the programme as the special guest.

A total of 72 soldiers of USARPAC participated in the exercise along with Bangladesh Army.

The Bangladesh Army and the US Pacific Army Command (USARPAC) jointly organised the bilateral exercise.

The exercise is designed to make the participants proficient in proper assessment of hostile security environment, effective planning and taking electronic measures to meet challenging challenges.

Apart from this, the exercise also involves exchange of knowledge and experience between the experts of both countries on Combat Life Saving, Mine Resistance Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicles, Counter Improvised Explosive Devices (C-IED), Cordon and Search Operations and setup check posts and operation.

Bangladesh-US military exercise opens

Bangladesh-US military exercise opens

www.daily-sun.com

 

[Afif]

I guess this is good news.

 

[Isa Khan]

View attachment 54639

The joint exercise between Bangladesh Army and US Pacific Army Command (USARPAC) titled ‘Exercise Tiger Lightning-4’ was formally inaugurated at Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training (BIPSOT) in Rajendrapur Cantonment on Sunday.

BIPSOT Commandant Major General ASM Ridwanur Rahman inaugurated the exercise as the chief guest.

However, the preparation phase of ‘Exercise Tiger Lightning-4’ started on February 26, 2023, the main activities of which started on Sunday with the opening ceremony.

Addressing on the occasion, BIPSOT Commandant Major General ASM Ridwanur Rahman said Exercise Tiger Lightning will contribute effectively to strengthening the existing relationship between the Bangladesh Army and the United States Army.

The Bangladesh Armed Forces have a rich history of conducting successful operations in hostile environments of United Nations peacekeeping missions. On the other hand, the US Armed Forces have extensive experience in operating successfully around the world in various security situations. In this case, the armies of both countries will be benefited by exchanging experiences with each other, he also said.

Brigadier General Gregory Thomas Day, Land Component Commander, Oregon National Guard, on behalf of the USARPAC, addressed the programme as the special guest.

A total of 72 soldiers of USARPAC participated in the exercise along with Bangladesh Army.

The Bangladesh Army and the US Pacific Army Command (USARPAC) jointly organised the bilateral exercise.

The exercise is designed to make the participants proficient in proper assessment of hostile security environment, effective planning and taking electronic measures to meet challenging challenges.

Apart from this, the exercise also involves exchange of knowledge and experience between the experts of both countries on Combat Life Saving, Mine Resistance Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicles, Counter Improvised Explosive Devices (C-IED), Cordon and Search Operations and setup check posts and operation.

Bangladesh-US military exercise opens

Bangladesh-US military exercise opens

www.daily-sun.com

 

[Isa Khan]

Aviation giant Boeing is looking to engage more with Bangladesh in the coming days, considering the potentials of the market, said a senior official of the company.

"According to our forecast, air travel in Bangladesh will double in the next decade, driven by the country's growing population, expanding economy and middle class," said Dave Schulte, Boeing commercial marketing managing director for Asia Pacific and India, in a press briefing at a city hotel Wednesday.

"Through 2032, Bangladesh is expected to achieve an annual economic growth rate of more than 5% – double the global average – supporting annual air-traffic growth at nearly 8.5% annually, according to Boeing," he added.

Considering the prospects of the Bangladesh market, he said the company is in continuous discussions and engagement with airline companies in Bangladesh, including Biman, as already it has had a strong presence here in the last 50 years.

The aerospace company provided details about the increasing demand and capacity for air travel in Bangladesh at yesterday's briefing about its Commercial Market Outlook (CMO), a yearly forecast of global and regional aeroplane demand.

Boeing organised the event at a time when its client national carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines is going to include two cargo carriers from Airbus, a competitor of Boeing.

With this cargo deal, Airbus will enter Bangladesh's aviation market, which is currently dominated by the American company Boeing.
Asked if Boeing is losing its market share in Bangladesh, Dave Schulte did not give any direct answer.

"Boeing aeroplanes have played a tremendous role in the rapid growth of commercial aviation in Bangladesh. Commonality across the fleet will continue to play a major role in furthering the growth, especially as it enables our customers to reduce operating costs and minimalise expenditures associated with training and maintenance," Dave Schulte said.

He said to meet the demand in passenger travel and air cargo, Boeing anticipates that South Asian air carriers will need over 2,300 new commercial aeroplanes over the next 20 years, more than tripling South Asia's current in-service fleet of 700 aeroplanes.

Among these, the market share of India will be around 90% while the rest of the portions will be under Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and others.

Schulte said, "We see tremendous opportunities in South Asia, with more than 80% of new deliveries supporting air-travel growth and 20% replacing older, less fuel-efficient aeroplanes.

"Single-aisle aeroplanes like the Boeing 737 family will make up nearly 90% of South Asia's future fleet, while 10% of the regional fleet will be widebody aeroplanes like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Both aeroplane models are currently in operation with Biman Bangladesh and US Bangla."

Bangladesh is working towards achieving a category-1 rating of the Federal Aviation Administration from the current category-2 to resume Dhaka-New York direct flights.

Explaining the diversified engagement with Bangladesh, Kevin Yoo, regional director (communications) of Boeing, said the company is facilitating Bangladesh in achieving the category-1 rating.

The national carrier Biman has a modern fleet with 21 aircraft, mostly dominated by Boeing aircraft. The inclusion of two Airbus planes in its fleet will cost nearly Tk4,000 crore, according to a source at the civil aviation and tourism ministry.

Moreover, Biman will have to train its pilots for Airbus operations, and will need a different set-up of manpower for Airbus, which will be expensive for the airline, said a senior executive of the company.

Initially, Biman was not willing to go for a cargo deal with Airbus, but it finally accepted the proposal as part of developing relations with the UK and France, he added.

Boeing interested in more engagements with Bangladesh, says regional MD

The aviation giant forecasts Bangladesh air travel to double in next 10 years

www.tbsnews.net

 

[Isa Khan]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1649322077567201281

 

[Isa Khan]

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday (May 13, 2023) said that Bangladesh will not purchase anything from any country which imposes sanctions against it.

"There is now a tendency to give sanctions, and sanctions on those by whom we contain terrorism. We have taken a decision. I have said that I will not buy anything from those who will give sanctions,” she said.

The prime minister said this while inaugurating the five-day long 60th Convention of Institute of Engineers Bangladesh (IEB) at the IEB Headquarters with the theme “Innovative Engineering in the 4th Industrial Revolution”.

“What will you do with me? My parents, brothers and sisters have all been killed. I have nothing to lose. But I want to take my country forward,” she said.

On December 10 in 2021, the US Treasury Department slapped sanctions against Bangladesh's elite force, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and seven of its former and current officials alleging serious human rights violation.

Bangladesh has strongly denied the allegation and instead highlighted RAB's remarkable success in combating terrorism and drug menace.

PM Hasina: Bangladesh won't buy anything from those who impose sanctions against it

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday (May 13, 2023) said that Bangladesh will not purchase anything from any country which imposes sanctions against it.

unb.com.bd

 

[F-6 enthusiast]

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday (May 13, 2023) said that Bangladesh will not purchase anything from any country which imposes sanctions against it.

"There is now a tendency to give sanctions, and sanctions on those by whom we contain terrorism. We have taken a decision. I have said that I will not buy anything from those who will give sanctions,” she said.

The prime minister said this while inaugurating the five-day long 60th Convention of Institute of Engineers Bangladesh (IEB) at the IEB Headquarters with the theme “Innovative Engineering in the 4th Industrial Revolution”.

“What will you do with me? My parents, brothers and sisters have all been killed. I have nothing to lose. But I want to take my country forward,” she said.

On December 10 in 2021, the US Treasury Department slapped sanctions against Bangladesh's elite force, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and seven of its former and current officials alleging serious human rights violation.

Bangladesh has strongly denied the allegation and instead highlighted RAB's remarkable success in combating terrorism and drug menace.

PM Hasina: Bangladesh won't buy anything from those who impose sanctions against it

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday (May 13, 2023) said that Bangladesh will not purchase anything from any country which imposes sanctions against it.

unb.com.bd

If we buy anything at all

 

[PutinBro]

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday (May 13, 2023) said that Bangladesh will not purchase anything from any country which imposes sanctions against it.

"There is now a tendency to give sanctions, and sanctions on those by whom we contain terrorism. We have taken a decision. I have said that I will not buy anything from those who will give sanctions,” she said.

The prime minister said this while inaugurating the five-day long 60th Convention of Institute of Engineers Bangladesh (IEB) at the IEB Headquarters with the theme “Innovative Engineering in the 4th Industrial Revolution”.

“What will you do with me? My parents, brothers and sisters have all been killed. I have nothing to lose. But I want to take my country forward,” she said.

On December 10 in 2021, the US Treasury Department slapped sanctions against Bangladesh's elite force, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and seven of its former and current officials alleging serious human rights violation.

Bangladesh has strongly denied the allegation and instead highlighted RAB's remarkable success in combating terrorism and drug menace.

PM Hasina: Bangladesh won't buy anything from those who impose sanctions against it

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday (May 13, 2023) said that Bangladesh will not purchase anything from any country which imposes sanctions against it.

unb.com.bd

She was talking about the Boeing-Airbus issue.The decision to buy Airbus jets has a lot to do with the sanctions.You can say the deal is more or less a political retaliation.

 

[PutinBro]

If we buy anything at all

It's way too early to say that.But if we really ditch US, then you can rest assured that BAF will not get any new fighter in active service before 2030.

For its single engine fighter procurement, BAF has always preferred the F-16 and no alternatives in the market can give you what the F-16 can.BAF is turning into a bad joke....

 

[Isa Khan]

She was talking about the Boeing-Airbus issue.The decision to buy Airbus jets has a lot to do with the sanctions.You can say the deal is more or less a political retaliation.

Looks like someone is really pissed on US.

 

[PutinBro]

Looks like someone is really pissed on US.

I would be pissed too if someone sanctioned my anti-terror unit because they killed few anti-state Islamists.

 

[Isa Khan]

Army Chief General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed on Sunday (14 May) left for the US on an official visit at the invitation of the US Army.

During his visit, he will participate in The Land Forces Pacific (LANPAC) Conference to be held in Hawaii from 16-18 May, reads a ISPR release.

The aim of the conference is to create an environment of mutual trust, develop professional relations and strengthen regional security arrangements by improving relations between land forces in the Indo-Pacific region.

In addition to the conference, the army chief will participate in bilateral meetings with army chiefs and other high-ranking military officials from different countries and discuss various issues of mutual cooperation.

After the conference, the Chief of Army Staff is expected to leave Hawaii on 18 May and reach Bangladesh on 21 May.

Army chief leaves for US to join LANPAC Conference

Army Chief General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed on Sunday (14 May) left for the US on an official visit at the invitation of the US Army. During his visit, he will participate in The Land Forces Pacific (LANPAC) Conference to be held in Hawaii from 16-18 May, reads a ISPR release. The aim of the...

www.tbsnews.net

US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman has said they are seeking to provide $6 million, working with the US Congress, for regional maritime security initiatives - partnering with Bangladesh, India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka.

This funding will bolster interdiction and law enforcement capacity in the Indian Ocean's South Asian sub-region, she said.

"Partnership is critical to maritime security, and I want to acknowledge India's leadership in this space... specifically in the fields of anti-piracy, EEZ monitoring, and disaster response," Sherman said today virtually during a session at the 6th Indian Ocean Conference being held in Dhaka.

The United States was represented with Afreen Akhter, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs for Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and the Maldives, leading the delegation.

Sherman, who retires next month, thanked Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen for hosting the Indian Ocean Conference 2023 and for inviting her to speak to the esteemed group.

Sherman also thanked India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and the India Foundation for their partnership in helping to organize the event each year.

She said this region does face serious challenges. "The climate crisis touches us all, but it has a disproportionate impact on Indian Ocean countries. For some, particularly island states, climate change represents an existential threat."

Meanwhile, she said, piracy, armed robbery at sea, and trafficking degrade maritime security. "And illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing threaten blue economies, which need to be sustainable for future generations to prosper."

All of these challenges require a concerted and collaborative approach among all of them, countries, multilateral bodies like IORA, civil society, and people, Sherman said.

She said the United States is committed to doing their part. "That's why we've announced plans to provide $165 million for programs across the Indian Ocean region that address climate change adaptation and mitigation, including the transition to a clean energy future."

Sherman said the future of the world will be determined in large part by what happens here.

The Indian Ocean region is home to 2.7 billion people - more than a third of the world's population - and with an average age of 30 years, that percentage will only grow.

"It is difficult to overstate the economic significance of this region. The Indian Ocean accounts for one-fifth of the world's ocean surface, and it connects people and economies around the globe," she said.

Its vast coastline includes some of the world's most important shipping lanes - from the Strait of Hormuz to the Malacca Strait.

Eighty percent of the world's maritime oil shipments traverse Indian Ocean waters. Some of the planet's most vital fisheries are here, and they play a critical role in employing people in the region and feeding people around the world.

"So it makes sense that all of us have an interest in a peaceful and prosperous future for the Indian Ocean region. We share the vision embedded in this year's conference theme... Peace, Prosperity, and Partnership for a Resilient Future," Sherman said.

Through USAID, the United States invests more than $33 million in 15 countries each year to promote sustainable fisheries and conserve marine biodiversity.

"And in this region, we are working to identify development assistance, including to Bangladesh, focused on growing sustainable blue economies," Sherman said.

"We are doing this because the promise of the Indian Ocean region is limitless. We are doing this because unlocking its full potential requires all of us to come together," she said, adding that while they are taking action to address common challenges, they are also here to listen.

"I hope you'll share your ideas for how the United States can further develop our partnership with Deputy Assistant Secretary Akhter and the rest of our delegation," Sherman said.

In the coming months, she said they will look for ways to build on the momentum generated in the conversations this week.

"And we'll continue to advance our shared vision so we can build a more peaceful, prosperous, and resilient Indian Ocean region together," the US Deputy Secretary of State told the 6th Indian Ocean Conference.

US wants to provide $6m for maritime security initiatives, partnering with Bangladesh and others

Partnership is critical to maritime security, US Deputy Secretary of State tells Indian Ocean Conference in Dhaka

www.tbsnews.net

 

[yf120]

She was talking about the Boeing-Airbus issue.The decision to buy Airbus jets has a lot to do with the sanctions.You can say the deal is more or less a political retaliation.

No offense, but clearly, BD doesn't have the luxury or power to do something like that. It definitely has something to do with this https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/...wned-air-india-to-acquire-250-airbus-aircraft and this

Moreover, it seems in some way that BD has shot themselves in the foot because, firstly, new maintenance and overhaul facilities have to be built within the country's economic crisis. Will add unnecessary complexity to the fleet. Not to mention Biman's continued billions of dollars of losses and hoping not going bankrupt similar to other airlines. Secondly, what it looks like so far is that Boeing is already retaliating, and the result could be devastating

I would be pissed too if someone sanctioned my anti-terror unit because they killed few anti-state Islamists.

Isn't this what the PM said?

 

[PutinBro]

No offense, but clearly, BD doesn't have the luxury or power to do something like that.

It just did and what I said was not a speculation.

It definitely has something to do with this https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/...wned-air-india-to-acquire-250-airbus-aircraft and this

Only one part of the picture+ also France is more positive on helping in our aviation sector.

Moreover, it seems in some way that BD has shot themselves in the foot because, firstly, new maintenance and overhaul facilities have to be built within the country's economic crisis. Will add unnecessary complexity to the fleet. Not to mention Biman's continued billions of dollars of losses and hoping not going bankrupt similar to other airlines. Secondly, what it looks like so far is that Boeing is already retaliating, and the result could be devastating.

Obviously this decision will have consequences and Biman will go through a tough time.It is to show that BD is willing to make drastic decisions if pushed too far and from which US can potentially loose billions.In the bigger picture, Govt wont go in the China camp and will contenue to have good relations with USA but the relations will never reach to the point where US is trying to take it.

Speaking of defence, at this moment major defence procurements are likely to happen from US including big purchases like BAFs MRSAM,F-16s,drones,attack helos+They also want to sell maritime strike fighters,trainers And numerus big and small products BA,BN.If these are cancelled then BD can easily source many of these from European suppliers and countries like Turkey,S.Korea or even China if needed.And AFD WON'T face the problems biman is going to face if it chooses to ditch US suppliers for the procurements I have mentioned.Only problem would be that they may not find suitable replacements for some US made items from other countries and in the worst case senario, some programs may face long delays But as we all already know, defence is not a main priority for BD right now and so they won't take issues like this seriusly.Delays in defence purchase is not a new thing in BD.

Selling defence equipments will not only add dollars to US suppliers It will also make BD greatly reliant on US(something US has succesfully done with Biman) and give US a certain level of indirect control over BD armed forces(this will depend on how much we buy and in what conditions) even in if we can get a favorable deal from them.US will definetly not want to loose these at this point. and same might happen to some non military programs as well.

You can easily see that the RAB sanctions are not the only issue here.If we buy their kit in deals made completely in their terms, we will more or less become their political hostage and then there's the China issue.There is no point in having a strong armed forces if we can't use them at our will at least when we need and makes zero sense in spending billions.Its my sincere hope that we find a middle ground based on which both countries can move forward if no then we are better of with what we can get.