Jamaat Ameer talks with US trade chief
Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Friday held separate virtual meetings with the United States Trade Representative and an Australian government delegation, discussing bilateral trade, tariff issues, economic cooperation and Bangladesh’s upcoming national election.
The first meeting, held at around 9:15am (BST), took place between Dr Shafiqur Rahman and US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer.
The discussion focused on bilateral trade, mutual tariff rates and future economic cooperation between Bangladesh and the United States.
At the beginning of the meeting, Dr Shafiqur thanked Ambassador Greer for initiating the call and expressed appreciation for US engagement on tariff-related discussions.
He referred to Greer’s recent meeting with President Donald Trump on tariff reductions involving Bangladesh and thanked him for what he described as supportive efforts.
According to Jamaat-e-Islami, the ameer welcomed a US proposal to grant special tariff benefits to garments made from 100 percent US cotton or manmade fibres, calling it a “win-win formula” that could increase Bangladeshi exports while supporting US agriculture and industry.
Shafiqur Rahman said the bilateral tariff agreement had laid a strong foundation for trade and economic relations and noted that Bangladesh was already implementing key aspects of the deal while taking steps to reduce trade deficits.
He added that if Jamaat-e-Islami forms the government following the February national election, the party would continue full implementation of the agreement and work to deepen trade and investment relations with the United States.
The Jamaat chief also welcomed US support for Bangladesh’s access to funds from the US Development Finance Corporation, describing it as an effective mechanism for expanding bilateral trade and investment.
He concluded by inviting Ambassador Greer to visit Bangladesh to strengthen mutual understanding and partnership.
The meeting was also attended by Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch, Director for South and Central Asia Emily Ashby, and Jamaat-e-Islami’s US spokesperson Professor Dr Mohammad Nakibur Rahman.
Later in the morning, at around 10am, Dr Shafiqur Rahman held another virtual meeting with an Australian delegation led by Bruce Sower, a representative of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
From the Australian side, the meeting was attended by Stacy Lee Walker, assistant director for Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives; Brooke Simpson, assistant director of Bangladesh Branch-1 (Bilateral); and Mish Khan, assistant director of Bangladesh Branch-2 (Rohingya), according to a Jamaat press release.
The discussion highlighted the importance of holding Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election, scheduled for 12 February, in a peaceful manner. Jamaat-e-Islami’s role in contributing positively to a meaningful democratic process was also raised.
Bilateral trade relations between Bangladesh and Australia and prospects for future economic cooperation were discussed, alongside possible Australian support for Bangladesh’s skill development programmes. Australia was described during the meeting as an important development partner.
Joining the meeting from Australia were Jamaat-e-Islami Europe spokesperson Abu Bakar Molla, Jamaat’s foreign affairs adviser Mahmudul Hasan, and Bangladeshi expatriates Abdul Mannan, Osman Gani and Ahmadullah Sadi.
The two meetings come as Jamaat-e-Islami increases diplomatic outreach ahead of the upcoming national election and amid ongoing negotiations over trade and economic cooperation with international partners.