USA NEWS: The BADC Executive Vice-Chair Ripa Haq and the Joint Coordinator of Women Affairs Committee Zeenat Mannan met honorable US Ambassador James F. Moriarty, the Political, Economic, and Commercial Officer Jon Danilowicz, and the USAID Chief Denise Rollins at the US Embassy in Dhaka on Tuesday, August 22^nd, 2010.  The BADC Chairman Nazmul Hassan (Shahin) requested the US Embassy in Dhaka for this meeting.

The BADC leaders handed a letter of thanks from the BADC Chairman and couple of BADC Newsletters to the honorable Ambassador at the meeting.  The BADC Vice-Chair shared the vision, goals, and the past year’s activities of the organization with the Ambassador.  The Ambassador was happy to know that BADC is not a polarized organization like many Bangladeshi Organizations.  He thanked the BADC leadership for being the most active Caucuses in Michigan and considering forming a national BADC.  He advised that BADC could work with the local foundations, establish partnership with private and public hospitals and organizations, perhaps to work with the USAID and provide support through the Bangladeshi American Medical doctors in the area of healthcare.   He advised that BADC form bilateral partnership between US-Bangladesh Universities and colleges for students to share knowledge’s on areas such as Micro Credit and investments etc. 

The BADC Women Affairs Committee Joint Coordinator explained the role of the Women leaders in the Organization.  She explained how the women leaders played active role in past year's BADC activities such as healthcare, immigration, seminars and training etc.   The leaders then informed the Ambassador about BADC role in the August primary for Hansen.  They also informed him that BADC is organizing a Fund Raisers Concert for Hansen on August 9th, 2010.  At the end, the BADC leaders invited the Ambassador to visit Michigan when he is in the USA.

The Political, Economic, and Commercial Officer Jon Danilowicz advised that BADC work on activities such as Charity or Fund Raising for victims in Bangladesh and USA.  He also advised to provide our technical expertise in the development of Bangladesh.  In a separate meeting with the USAID Chief Denise Rollins, the BADC leaders agreed to work in the field of women healthcare and education etc.

After the meeting, Mr. Jon Danilowwicz wrote an e-mail to the BADC Chairman saying, “…the meeting with the Ambassador and the subsequent meeting with Denise Rollins both went very well.   Zeenat and Ripa did an excellent job explaining BADC’s priorities and activities and we had excellent conversations about opportunities for future partnership.  BADC is doing a tremendous job and you can count on our full support.  We look forward to continuing the conversation when you visit in December and also hope to arrange for the Ambassador to meet you in Michigan one of these days.” He added, “I am confident that this is only the beginning of much more cooperation in the future. “

--