USAID commits $1b to Bangladesh: New development agreement signed

Staff Reporter :

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has pledged nearly $1 billion in aid to Bangladesh from 2021 to 2026, with a significant portion of this funding recently formalized through a new development agreement. On Monday, the US Embassy in Dhaka announced that USAID signed a $200 million agreement with the Interim Government of Bangladesh aimed at fostering development, enhancing governance, expanding trade, and creating new opportunities for Bangladeshi citizens.

This new funding will support Bangladesh in pursuing a more inclusive, equitable, and democratic future. The agreement is part of a broader initiative to bolster economic growth, ensure financial stability, and strengthen democratic processes in the country.

During the recent visit of a US interagency delegation to Dhaka, discussions were held with key figures in the Bangladesh Interim Government. The delegation met with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain, and Finance and Commerce Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed on Sunday.

The US delegation included Department of Treasury Assistant Secretary Brent Neiman, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu, USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator for Asia Änjali Kaur, and Assistant US Trade Representative Brendan Lynch.

The ongoing partnership between the US and Bangladesh highlights a commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s development trajectory and ensuring sustainable progress for its people.