Biegun meets Bangladesh govt officials to advance partnership

During his 14-16 October trip to Dhaka, US Deputy Secretary of State Stephen E Biegun met with senior Bangladesh government officials to advance the US-Bangladesh partnership on a range of bilateral initiatives.

In his meetings with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, and other senior Bangladeshi officials, US Deputy Secretary Biegun discussed the United States' steadfast support for Bangladesh and the partnership between the two countries to foster long-term economic stability and sustainable development. 

The US deputy secretary highlighted US-Bangladesh cooperation in public health and combatting Covid-19. He also announced the upcoming delivery of 100 American-made ventilators, said a media note from the US Embassy in Dhaka on Friday. 

US Deputy Secretary Biegun delivered two gas analysers to Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque and State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak to expand the government of Bangladesh's capacity to certify and re-check the effectiveness of all ventilators in the country.

"Throughout his visit, Deputy Secretary Biegun emphasised our common vision of a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and secure Indo-Pacific region, with shared prosperity for all," read the media note.

The US deputy secretary thanked the people and the government of Bangladesh for their continued generosity in hosting more than 860,000 Rohingya and discussed the need for a global response to achieve a more permanent solution.

US Deputy Secretary Biegun and Foreign Minister Momen jointly announced the establishment of a new Government of Bangladesh consulate in Miami, Florida.

The new consulate, Bangladesh's third in the US, exemplifies the expanding partnership – including growing commercial and people-to-people ties – between the two nations.