US-Bangladesh relations strengthening: Salman

Salman Fazlur Rahman, the prime minister's advisor on private business and industry, asserts that bilateral talks between top US and Bangladeshi officials have improved ties between the two friendly nations.

"There were some misunderstandings between Bangladesh and the United States. Sometimes misunderstandings arise among friends. The distance with the US has reduced," he said in a press conference following a meeting with a US delegation at his Gulshan mansion on Thursday night. 

The team was led by the US Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Uzra Zeya.

The discussion, according to Salman, covered topics such as expanding bilateral commerce with the US, the upcoming general election, and Bangladesh's labor rights issue.

"They did not discuss the electoral system, interim government, or the caretaker government. They did not give any new conditions. They talked about making elections free and fair. We also talked about free fair and peaceful elections," he added.

The two political parties had peaceful rallies on Wednesday, and the police handled the situation admirably, according to the US delegation, he claimed.

Salman said during the discussion that Bangladesh had requested duty-free rights from the US for ready-to-wear clothing made in Bangladesh using cotton imported from the West.

The seminar also covered increasing US investment in Bangladesh, he said.

Md Shahriar Alam, the state minister for foreign affairs, spoke at the news conference as well.

Many people overestimated the possibility that Uzra Zeya's visit would increase pressure on the government, according to Shahriar Alam.

/MHK/