US to support Bangladesh to reach its destination: Peter Haas

Staff Reporter :
The US Ambassador in Bangladesh Peter Haas on Wednesday said that his government would do everything it can to help Bangladesh reach its desired destination.
“Bangladesh and its people are steering the vehicle, and it is you who will determine the direction – and the speed – at which the car travels in the future. The United States has been and will continue to be accompanying you on this journey. We will do everything we can to help you reach your destination,” he said in a short-video marking his one year in office in Bangladesh.
“Today, I celebrate my one-year anniversary serving as the US ambassador to Bangladesh. In the past year, I have had the honour to visit many places in this beautiful country,” he said.
About his various tours across the country, he said, “I have seen fascinating places throughout Dhaka, as well as in the Sundarbans, Rajshahi, and Cox’s Bazar. I have been privileged to meet Bangladeshis of all ages and from all walks of life. And I have learnt to love shingara, biriyani and mishti doi” .
“When I think about Bangladesh, an analogy comes to mind. I am riding in a car in which movement down the road represents the passage of time. When I look in the rearview mirror, I am amazed by how far Bangladesh has come in just 51 years. I see a Bangladesh that has made the journey from a country with little more than its independence and pride to a country with one of the world’s fastest-growing economies that is on the cusp of graduating from the least developed country status,” he said.
“When I look down the road through the windscreen, I imagine just how far Bangladesh can travel over the next 51 years. Bangladesh has everything it needs to become a prosperous, democratic, developed country in the coming years,” he added.
The US ambassador said, “The road ahead is, of course, not flat and straight. It has hills, and turns, and potholes. As with every country, Bangladesh will have to navigate those twists and turns as it takes steps to nourish democracy, improve governance, build institutions, and educate its people”.
Meanwhile, US Ambassador Peter Haas after visiting Meghnaghat 584 MW Combined cycle power project on Wednesday, said, “The United States intends to be number one investor in Bangladesh”.
The Ambassador said that the US companies are excited by the market in Bangladesh.
Referring to his statement at the Bangladesh investment summit, he said the US companies are looking to invest in Bangladesh as the country has the eight largest population in the world.
“It’s a fast growing economy and the government is trying to improve the governing environment. I’m optimistic the US will remain the number one investor in Bangladesh,” he said.