Bangladesh seeks US support for RMG sector, Covid-19 response

Bangladesh has sought the support of the United States for the country's RMG sector, which has been badly hit by fallout from the coronavirus outbreak.

The US market is the single largest RMG export destination of Bangladesh.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen made the call in a meeting at his office today with US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl Miller.

Momen also requested the US to expedite deportation of Rashed Chowdhury, the self-confessed killer of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The foreign minister made the requests as the US envoy handed over a letter of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to him during the meeting.

In the letter, Pompeo appreciated Bangladesh's readiness to support Covid-19 response supply chains and Bangladesh's assistance in repatriation of American citizens.

The US Secretary of State also assured Bangladesh of working together to combat Covid-19 and of continued cooperation during this challenge.

The foreign minister elaborated Bangladesh's strategies to tackle the Covid-19 crisis to the US ambassador and expressed interest to work closely with the US government in the coming days to face the global challenges.

During the meeting, Foreign Minister Momen underscored how the economy and livelihood of Bangladeshi people are being adversely affected in this Covid-19 situation, especially mentioning the country's RMG industry, which has been badly hit due to cancellation of orders by foreign buyers.

They also discussed the Rohingya crisis that is being protracted and the US ambassador assured continued support in this regard as Momen asked for extending US cooperation in tackling each crisis in a unified manner.