Prime Minister’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman gave the briefing at his residence. Minister of State for Information Mohammad Ali Arafat is next to him. Gulshan, Dhaka, 14 May (Image collected)
Due to the dollar-crisis, US companies investing in Bangladesh are not able to repatriate their profits. Donald Lu, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs of the US Department of State, who is visiting Dhaka, asked when it would be possible to take this money from Bangladesh.
Donald Lu asked to know about this at a dinner at the Gulshan residence of Prime Minister’s Private Industry and Investment Advisor Salman F Rahman on Tuesday night.
Salman F Rahman told reporters in a briefing at his residence after the dinner. State Minister of Information Mohammad Ali Arafat was present at this time.
Salman F. Rahman said, the dollar-crisis was discussed. They said, ‘US companies who are doing business are complaining that their money is being delayed. They also said that we understand that there is pressure on Bangladesh’s reserves. Bangladesh asked to know how many days it will be able to pay this amount.
Prime Minister’s private industry and investment adviser said, “We are optimistic that Bangladesh’s reserves will increase.” Our exports will increase, remittances will also increase. Let the Americans know that although we are having a little trouble paying, a little late, our payments are continuing. We have not stopped the exemption at all.
Regarding the discussion on Palestine, Salman F. Rahman said that the Prime Minister of Bangladesh is very concerned about the issue of Palestine. The Americans said that just as Bangladesh wants a permanent ceasefire, the United States also wants it. They indicated that the crisis is going towards resolution. But he did not elaborate on what the solution is.
When asked whether there was any discussion about China or not, Salman F. Rahman said that there was no discussion about it. He said that there was no discussion about the visa policy.
When asked about the priority of the talks, Salman F. Rahman said, “The Americans have said that the United States wants to improve relations with Bangladesh.” Bangladesh also welcomed them in this regard. The misunderstanding with the United States before the election was not discussed by the Americans, nor by us. They want to re-establish trust in relations with Bangladesh.
US State Department Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu, who is visiting Dhaka, shakes hands. Dhaka, 14 May (Image collected)
Speaking about the priority of the United States, the adviser to the Prime Minister said that the United States will have no objection if the labor policy and law are made in accordance with the roadmap with the International Labor Organization (ILO).
When asked about RAB’s ban, Salman F. Rahman said, along with RAB’s ban, the issue of bringing back Rashed Chowdhury, the murderer of Bangabandhu, was also informed. They said, these two issues are in the law office.
Donald Lu said earlier during his visit to Dhaka that RAB has improved. As a result, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is cooperating in this regard. The Foreign Office informed the Law Department that the RAB had improved.
When asked whether BNP was discussed or not, State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat said, BNP, opposition parties, politics, human rights, democracy, elections were not discussed by the US. There was no discussion about them.