US envoy highlights trade, education ties
Diplomatic Correspondent :
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen has reiterated Washington’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Bangladesh through expanded cooperation in trade, industry, education, and people-to-people engagement.
During his first official visit to Chattogram, Ambassador Christensen paid a courtesy call on Chattogram Mayor Shahadat Hossain. Their meeting focused on areas of shared interest, including urban development, future cooperation, and the importance of deepening people-to-people ties between the two countries.
As part of the visit, the US envoy me Premier University Vice Chancellor S M Nasrul Quadir and toured the newly inaugurated American Corner at the university, describing it as a vital platform for academic exchange and cultural engagement.
He thanked for its partnership of the university with the US government and met with alumni of US exchange programmes, praising their role in strengthening bilateral ties and fostering mutual understanding.
Economic cooperation featured prominently during the visit. Ambassador Christensen met with US agricultural and commodity importers operating in Bangladesh, where he highlighted the quality and reliability of American products while addressing challenges related to trade logistics and shipping.
He stressed the need for continued dialogue to ensure smoother supply chains and stronger commercial partnerships.
At Chattogram Port, the ambassador marked the arrival of nearly 60,000 metric tons of US wheat, underscoring growing trade links between American farmers and Bangladeshi agricultural importers.
He later visited BSRM Steel and Pahartali Textile Mills, two major industrial enterprises that have long relied on US-sourced inputs.
During the tours, he noted how American innovation and technology continue to support productivity and growth in Bangladesh’s industrial sector, reinforcing trade as a key pillar of the bilateral relationship.
In a moment of remembrance, Ambassador Christensen laid a wreath at the Chattogram War Cemetery to honor American Pilot Officer William B. Rice, who lost his life during World War II.
He described Rice’s sacrifice as a lasting symbol of shared values and historical connections between the United States and Bangladesh.
The visit reflected the United States’ continued commitment to deepening cooperation with Bangladesh across education, commerce, and economic growth, while honoring the shared history that binds the two nations and strengthening engagement with the people of Chattogram.