Bangladesh Ambassador Mohammad Ziauddin meets CSIS President and CEO

Washington DC : Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Mohammad Ziauddin met Dr. John Hamre, President and CEO of CSIS (Center for Strategic and International Studies) and the former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense in Washington DC, 21 April.

Established in 1962, CSIS is one of the world’s preeminent public policy institutions on foreign policy and national security issues.

Ambassador Ziauddin and CSIS President Dr. Hamre discussed, among others, development achievements of Bangladesh, education, women empowerment, counter-terrorism, human rights, trade and investment and regional cooperation.

Ambassador Ziauddin briefed Dr. Hamre about excellent bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the USA. He informed Dr. Hamre of mutual cooperation in counter terrorism and intelligence sharing. In this connection, the Ambassador also informed that the government under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina vowed zero tolerance against any form of terrorism, and Bangladesh is working closely with its neighbors in this regard, including the United States.

The Ambassador highlighted the immense contribution of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to achieve the independence of Bangladesh in 1971.

On the DFQF issue, Ambassador Ziauddin told him that Bangladesh along with other Asian and Oceanic Least Developed Countries (LDCs), are deprived of Duty Free Quota Free (DFQF) access to US market, although 34 African LDCs under AGOA are enjoying the facility.

The Ambassador urged the US authorities to give DFQF access to all LDCs following the suit of European Union based on justice and fair play.

Ambassador Ziauddin also mentioned about different development priorities of the present government, including education and women empowerment. He mentioned women’s role in the garments industry, poverty alleviation, increasing literacy rate, discouraging child labour and curbing extremism.

CSIS President Dr. Hamre appreciated Ambassador Ziauddin’s initiative to brief him on various aspects of Bangladesh. He lauded the role of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for various development activities of Bangladesh, especially women empowerment. He also showed his interest to visit Bangladesh in future.