‘Incredible Potential’ in ties with US

US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor has reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to strengthening ties with Bangladesh, saying the two countries have “incredible potential” to expand economic cooperation, boost US investment and deepen their strategic partnership.

During his three-day visit, Gor conveyed the US government’s confidence in Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership, announced an upcoming investment mission by American companies, and highlighted Bangladesh’s improving investment climate following the easing of the US travel advisory.

Speaking to reporters after meeting Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon on Saturday, Gor said the United States regarded Bangladesh as a country of growing strategic and economic importance and believed closer collaboration could deliver tangible benefits for both sides.

“The United States holds the Prime Minister in the highest regard. The message that we want to make sure gets out there between our two sides is that there’s incredible potential,” he said.

Gor, who paid what was described as a “familiarisation and exploratory” visit to Bangladesh from 30 July to 1 August, said strengthening economic cooperation and enhancing bilateral partnership had been at the centre of his discussions.

“This is a priority for the United States, and working together, we can achieve real results. We have a lot of potential, as we discussed,” he said.

As part of efforts to deepen engagement, Gor noted that Washington had recently lowered its travel advisory for Bangladesh, saying the decision was intended to encourage both tourism and investment.

“We have lowered our travel advisory for Bangladesh, encouraging people to come here, both as tourists but also as an investment climate,” he said.

He also announced that a delegation of US companies would visit Bangladesh next week to explore investment opportunities.

“Just next week, we’re going to have a delegation of US companies visiting Bangladesh that are looking to invest,” Gor said.

Highlighting prospects for expanded economic cooperation, he identified the pharmaceutical and information technology sectors as areas with significant potential for collaboration.

“Whether that relates to the pharma industry, whether that relates to IT, there’s a lot that the United States and Bangladesh can do together,” he said.

Expressing optimism about the future of bilateral relations, Gor said both countries were committed to building on recent progress.

“We look forward to building on that and taking it to the next level,” he said, describing his meeting with the Prime Minister as “a very good meeting”.

Following the visit, the US Embassy in Dhaka said the discussions covered the political and economic dynamics shaping Bangladesh-US relations.

“The visit highlighted the breadth and depth of the US-Bangladesh relationship,” the embassy said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) described the courtesy meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office as “warm and cordial”.

According to the ministry, Gor conveyed the US government’s strong confidence in Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership and observed that stability had returned to Bangladesh under his administration.

The meeting also covered the Rohingya crisis, with Gor sharing his observations after visiting the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar a day earlier.

He commended Bangladesh and its people for continuing to shelter more than one million Rohingya refugees while providing sustained humanitarian assistance.

The US Special Envoy also stressed the need for a sustainable political solution to the protracted crisis.

The two sides further agreed to work together to resume testing activities in Bangladesh in cooperation with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Those present at the meeting included Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, Prime Minister’s Advisers Rehan Asif Asad and Mahdi Amin, Bangladesh Ambassador to Washington Tarek Md Ariful Islam, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen and other senior officials.

During his visit to Cox’s Bazar on Friday, Gor urged the international community to increase support for Rohingya refugees.

“The United States has supported this camp and urges our partners around the world to increase their contributions,” he said.

Accompanied by Ambassador Christensen, Gor visited Camp-4 in Ukhiya as part of a 14-member high-level delegation.

According to the Office of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC), the delegation observed humanitarian operations carried out by the World Food Programme (WFP) for displaced Rohingyas.

Earlier in the visit, Gor met Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman at the State Guest House Padma on Thursday evening.

“It was great to meet Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman during my first visit to Bangladesh and discuss working together to strengthen the US-Bangladesh relationship. Lots of positive developments,” Gor said.

Speaking after the meeting, the Foreign Minister said bilateral relations were advancing steadily.

“Our engagement with the US is not limited to one meeting. We remain engaged on all aspects and at all levels, and the relationship is moving forward,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed Washington’s decision to lower its travel advisory for Bangladesh from Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) to Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution), describing it as a reflection of growing US confidence in Bangladesh’s security environment and overall stability.

According to the ministry, the revised advisory followed the productive bilateral discussions between the Foreign Minister and Gor and recognised the government’s efforts over the past six months to strengthen law and order, improve stability and create a more conducive environment for travel, trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges.

The government said the updated advisory also underscored the positive trajectory of the longstanding partnership between Bangladesh and the United States.