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Bangladesh has potential to be Bengal Tiger
Itll be a major economic player: Mozena
Bangladesh has potential to be Bengal Tiger
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
Author / Source : SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
Dan W Mozena
DHAKA, MAY 21: Underscoring his vision to see Bangladesh as a Golden Bangladesh and the Bengal Tiger in the region US Ambassador Dan W Mozena on Monday reassured the US governments total support in materialising this visualization. He, however, also hoped that the government would take immediate steps to remove impediments like political instability, corruption, poor infrastructure, energy shortage, and improve of law and order.
I really believe that within my lifetime Bangladesh can be the Bengal tiger by emerging as a major economic player in the world, the ambassador said while interacting with senior journalists of The Independent during his visit to the offices of the daily.
In this connection he also emphasized the need for enhancing regional connectivity, political stability through a consensus among the major political parties, resolving labour related issues, and tapping the huge energy resources.
Terming Bangladesh as a huge country, he said that by exploiting the true potentials of the country Bangladesh can take a leadership role in global RMG, home textiles, pharmaceuticals, and the IT sector.
In this process a large number of employment opportunities could be generated which would help the country to lift the 40 per cent of its poor out of poverty, he noted.
Bangladesh is a huge country, the 7th largest in the world, but many Bangladeshis do not see it that way. Bangladesh can play a major role in world economy and the US government and I will do everything in this regard, Ambassador Mozena added.
Welcoming the US Ambassador, Editor of The Independent Mahbubul Alam said that the US had the largest investment in the country.
I hope that more US investment will come to Bangladesh and the government would take proper steps to remove the bottlenecks to facilitate the investments, the Editor said.
Describing Bangladesh-US relationship as excellent, the US Ambassador said, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton came to Bangladesh because this country matters to America. She came to cement the relationship between the two countries.
We have a strong partnership. We have a partnership that is bigger than the individuals involved. The signing of the partnership dialogue is proof of my assertion that US-Bangladesh relationship is excellent, he explained.
By signing the partnership dialogue we have put on paper our commitment to have an annual senior-level meeting to ***** our relationship from a strategic perspective and give our relationship strategic direction, he added.
Replying to a question, Mozena said that there were many areas where both countries could work to take the relationship further ahead to the mutual benefit of the peoples of the two countries.
In this regard, he mentioned that the US could assist intra-regional connectivity and trade involving countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, India and China.
Referring to the killing of labour organiser Aminul Islam, Mozena said, There is a perception that Bangladesh wants to slowly back off from its international labour obligations.
The American Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), the largest federation of workers unions in the US, have filed a petition with the US government to remove Bangladeshs access to Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) as Bangladesh does not follow international labour standards, he said.
Without mentioning any names, he said that some buyers of Bangladeshi RMG products had raised issues concerning the labour situation in Bangladesh.
In this context, the US envoy said that the issue of the proposed Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum Agreement had been going on for four years and it was yet to be signed.
We need to conclude the agreement soon. There is a single issue to be addressed and we hope to find a way to resolve that issue, he said.
I hope we will sign it, he added.
About the political situation, the US Ambassador called upon all the major political parties to reach a consensus to find a mechanism to conduct free, fair, credible and participatory elections.
This country ought to be, should be and must be a democracy. Non-democratic governance in this country has not been a happy affair. To be a democracy there needs to be free, fair and credible elections. Therefore, you have to reach a mutual agreement how to conduct free, fair, credible and participatory elections, he said.
I am sure there will be an agreement. But, I dont know whenI say it should be soon, he added.
The envoy further said that hartals, instability and uncertainty would drive away potential investors from investing in Bangladesh.
About Bangladeshs relationship with its neighbours, Mozena said that Bangladeshs improving relationship with Myanmar, China, Nepal, Bhutan, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan was so very good for regional stability and trade.
Its win-win for all, he added.
About the extradition of a killer of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from the US, Mozena said, My government will see what we can do.
Describing the present energy situation disappointing, the US ambassador underlined that Bangladesh had failed to tap the potential of its coal resources.
Bangladesh imports low quality-high sulphur coal from abroad legally and illegally but it did not take any decision on its own coal deposits which are unbelievable, Mozena said.
The country should take the opportunity to explore its offshore blocks by starting exploration work in the Bay of Bengal with ConocoPhillips, Mozena said.
He called upon the government to expedite the block awarding process to ConocoPhillips soon, adding that the country does not have even one or two days more to remain idle on the energy issue as it hits every sphere of life and economy, the US ambassador said.
I dont understand why the offshore exploration work is delayed as Bangladesh needs a huge amount energy to make the country a middle income nation, he said.
He said, I am proud of the role that Chevron is playing in helping to strengthen the economy of this great nation; in helping to unleash the next Asian tiger, the Bengal Tiger.
Bangladesh should move ahead to explore all potential areas of energy and power resources.
Thus it could help the RMG and other industries to do business in a proper manner, he said.
He said the partnership between America and Bangladesh is strong, and that partnership is strongest and most important in the private sector. America is Bangladeshs largest single export market with potential for great growth. And America is Bangladeshs largest investor with Chevron the single largest investor in Bangladesh, the ambassador said.
Praising Chevrons role in Bangladeshs energy sector, Mozena said, the Muchai Compression Project has increased the gas supply to Bangladeshs growing power generation, fertilizer, industrial and consumer sectors.
The US government wants to see a very open and level playing field in Bangladesh to do energy business here and wed love to see a very transparent bidding process, Mozena said.
The US Ambassador was accompanied by Patricia A Hill, press and information officer, and Kelly McCarthy of the public affairs section of the embassy.
Meanwhile, the United States of America (USA) wants that an agreement is reached through meaningful dialogue between the ruling party and the main stream opposition to develop a mechanism to hold free, fair, credible and participatory election in Bangladesh. US ambassador to Bangladesh Dan Mozena said this at a discussion organized by Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS) at a city hotel on Monday.
The sooner the political parties reach the agreement, is better in the interest of democracy in Bangladesh, Dan Mozena said adding We want to see a democratic, secured, transparent, peaceful and healthy Bangladesh. Such a Bangladesh, he said, is good for South Asia and also for the USA.
In this context, he said that home grown problems, should have home grown solutions.
He said, I hate hartal as it drives away investment. Describing Bangladesh as a model country for others, he said, so it has become a strategic partner of the US.
He said the official tour of US high-ups, including that of US secretary of State Hillary Clinton, proved that something special is happening here.
The discussion which was initiated by president of BIPSS Major general (retd) Muniruzzaman was attended by diplomats, civil society members and professionals.
Responding to a question, he said, We dont see Bangladesh through Indian prism.
Describing Hillary Clintons visit to Dhaka as a grand success, he said it had been his dream since becoming his countrys ambassador to Bangladesh.
He used words of praises for Bangladesh for improving its relations with neighbours including India, China, Myanmar and Pakistan. He said in this context, the secretary of state appreciated Bangladeshs efforts in curbing terrorism in cooperation with India. In this context, he described Bangladesh as a critical player of regional security.
He also briefly spoke on various areas of engagement between the defence forces of the two countries.
Speaking on increase of Bangladeshs export to India, he said India is an opportunity to Bangladesh as it is one of the worlds largest growing markets. The geographical location of Bangladesh, he said, has made it important. He also spoke on the importance of deep sea port of Bangladesh.
Itll be a major economic player: Mozena
Bangladesh has potential to be Bengal Tiger
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
Author / Source : SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
Dan W Mozena
DHAKA, MAY 21: Underscoring his vision to see Bangladesh as a Golden Bangladesh and the Bengal Tiger in the region US Ambassador Dan W Mozena on Monday reassured the US governments total support in materialising this visualization. He, however, also hoped that the government would take immediate steps to remove impediments like political instability, corruption, poor infrastructure, energy shortage, and improve of law and order.
I really believe that within my lifetime Bangladesh can be the Bengal tiger by emerging as a major economic player in the world, the ambassador said while interacting with senior journalists of The Independent during his visit to the offices of the daily.
In this connection he also emphasized the need for enhancing regional connectivity, political stability through a consensus among the major political parties, resolving labour related issues, and tapping the huge energy resources.
Terming Bangladesh as a huge country, he said that by exploiting the true potentials of the country Bangladesh can take a leadership role in global RMG, home textiles, pharmaceuticals, and the IT sector.
In this process a large number of employment opportunities could be generated which would help the country to lift the 40 per cent of its poor out of poverty, he noted.
Bangladesh is a huge country, the 7th largest in the world, but many Bangladeshis do not see it that way. Bangladesh can play a major role in world economy and the US government and I will do everything in this regard, Ambassador Mozena added.
Welcoming the US Ambassador, Editor of The Independent Mahbubul Alam said that the US had the largest investment in the country.
I hope that more US investment will come to Bangladesh and the government would take proper steps to remove the bottlenecks to facilitate the investments, the Editor said.
Describing Bangladesh-US relationship as excellent, the US Ambassador said, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton came to Bangladesh because this country matters to America. She came to cement the relationship between the two countries.
We have a strong partnership. We have a partnership that is bigger than the individuals involved. The signing of the partnership dialogue is proof of my assertion that US-Bangladesh relationship is excellent, he explained.
By signing the partnership dialogue we have put on paper our commitment to have an annual senior-level meeting to ***** our relationship from a strategic perspective and give our relationship strategic direction, he added.
Replying to a question, Mozena said that there were many areas where both countries could work to take the relationship further ahead to the mutual benefit of the peoples of the two countries.
In this regard, he mentioned that the US could assist intra-regional connectivity and trade involving countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, India and China.
Referring to the killing of labour organiser Aminul Islam, Mozena said, There is a perception that Bangladesh wants to slowly back off from its international labour obligations.
The American Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), the largest federation of workers unions in the US, have filed a petition with the US government to remove Bangladeshs access to Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) as Bangladesh does not follow international labour standards, he said.
Without mentioning any names, he said that some buyers of Bangladeshi RMG products had raised issues concerning the labour situation in Bangladesh.
In this context, the US envoy said that the issue of the proposed Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum Agreement had been going on for four years and it was yet to be signed.
We need to conclude the agreement soon. There is a single issue to be addressed and we hope to find a way to resolve that issue, he said.
I hope we will sign it, he added.
About the political situation, the US Ambassador called upon all the major political parties to reach a consensus to find a mechanism to conduct free, fair, credible and participatory elections.
This country ought to be, should be and must be a democracy. Non-democratic governance in this country has not been a happy affair. To be a democracy there needs to be free, fair and credible elections. Therefore, you have to reach a mutual agreement how to conduct free, fair, credible and participatory elections, he said.
I am sure there will be an agreement. But, I dont know whenI say it should be soon, he added.
The envoy further said that hartals, instability and uncertainty would drive away potential investors from investing in Bangladesh.
About Bangladeshs relationship with its neighbours, Mozena said that Bangladeshs improving relationship with Myanmar, China, Nepal, Bhutan, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan was so very good for regional stability and trade.
Its win-win for all, he added.
About the extradition of a killer of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from the US, Mozena said, My government will see what we can do.
Describing the present energy situation disappointing, the US ambassador underlined that Bangladesh had failed to tap the potential of its coal resources.
Bangladesh imports low quality-high sulphur coal from abroad legally and illegally but it did not take any decision on its own coal deposits which are unbelievable, Mozena said.
The country should take the opportunity to explore its offshore blocks by starting exploration work in the Bay of Bengal with ConocoPhillips, Mozena said.
He called upon the government to expedite the block awarding process to ConocoPhillips soon, adding that the country does not have even one or two days more to remain idle on the energy issue as it hits every sphere of life and economy, the US ambassador said.
I dont understand why the offshore exploration work is delayed as Bangladesh needs a huge amount energy to make the country a middle income nation, he said.
He said, I am proud of the role that Chevron is playing in helping to strengthen the economy of this great nation; in helping to unleash the next Asian tiger, the Bengal Tiger.
Bangladesh should move ahead to explore all potential areas of energy and power resources.
Thus it could help the RMG and other industries to do business in a proper manner, he said.
He said the partnership between America and Bangladesh is strong, and that partnership is strongest and most important in the private sector. America is Bangladeshs largest single export market with potential for great growth. And America is Bangladeshs largest investor with Chevron the single largest investor in Bangladesh, the ambassador said.
Praising Chevrons role in Bangladeshs energy sector, Mozena said, the Muchai Compression Project has increased the gas supply to Bangladeshs growing power generation, fertilizer, industrial and consumer sectors.
The US government wants to see a very open and level playing field in Bangladesh to do energy business here and wed love to see a very transparent bidding process, Mozena said.
The US Ambassador was accompanied by Patricia A Hill, press and information officer, and Kelly McCarthy of the public affairs section of the embassy.
Meanwhile, the United States of America (USA) wants that an agreement is reached through meaningful dialogue between the ruling party and the main stream opposition to develop a mechanism to hold free, fair, credible and participatory election in Bangladesh. US ambassador to Bangladesh Dan Mozena said this at a discussion organized by Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS) at a city hotel on Monday.
The sooner the political parties reach the agreement, is better in the interest of democracy in Bangladesh, Dan Mozena said adding We want to see a democratic, secured, transparent, peaceful and healthy Bangladesh. Such a Bangladesh, he said, is good for South Asia and also for the USA.
In this context, he said that home grown problems, should have home grown solutions.
He said, I hate hartal as it drives away investment. Describing Bangladesh as a model country for others, he said, so it has become a strategic partner of the US.
He said the official tour of US high-ups, including that of US secretary of State Hillary Clinton, proved that something special is happening here.
The discussion which was initiated by president of BIPSS Major general (retd) Muniruzzaman was attended by diplomats, civil society members and professionals.
Responding to a question, he said, We dont see Bangladesh through Indian prism.
Describing Hillary Clintons visit to Dhaka as a grand success, he said it had been his dream since becoming his countrys ambassador to Bangladesh.
He used words of praises for Bangladesh for improving its relations with neighbours including India, China, Myanmar and Pakistan. He said in this context, the secretary of state appreciated Bangladeshs efforts in curbing terrorism in cooperation with India. In this context, he described Bangladesh as a critical player of regional security.
He also briefly spoke on various areas of engagement between the defence forces of the two countries.
Speaking on increase of Bangladeshs export to India, he said India is an opportunity to Bangladesh as it is one of the worlds largest growing markets. The geographical location of Bangladesh, he said, has made it important. He also spoke on the importance of deep sea port of Bangladesh.
