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Bangladesh needs to be helped in intl security interest: Steinberg
UNBconnect... - Bangladesh needs to be helped in int
It may miss DFQF facility if it loses GSP, says US envoy
Reported by: UNBconnect
Reported on: March 28, 2013 17:21 PM
Reported in: National
News - Bangladesh needs to be helped in intl security interest: Steinberg
Dhaka, Mar 28 (UNB) Visiting USAID Deputy Administrator Donald Steinberg on Thursday said they need to help Bangladesh in the interest of international security.
Its actually international security interest to help Bangladesh because a peaceful and prosperous Bangladesh wont traffic in people, in drugs and in weapons. It wont harbor terrorists or pirates, he told reporters at a press conference at the American Center here explaining why the US and USAID are in Bangladesh.
Donald Steinberg hoped a peaceful and prosperous Bangladesh will not send refugees cross border or across the oceans and will not transfer pandemic diseases. Im no way saying these factors are currently existing in Bangladesh.
He said: The beauty of peace and prosperity that weve seen in Bangladesh has allowed us to avoid falling into any of those traps.
Steinberg said the US will continue to support international peace through international peacekeeping efforts that are underway.
US Ambassador in Dhaka Dan Mozena, USAID Bangladesh Richard Greene and Press Secretary of the US Embassy Kelly McCarthy were also present.
Donald Steinberg said Bangladesh is important for the USA for economic interest too and the (US) administration will do everything possible to maintain a strong level of assistance (to Bangladesh).
On Bangladeshs democracy, he said Bangladesh democracy is flourishing. You have an active, vibrant and professional press that forces maintain transparency were seeking to maintain a strong level of support.
He, however, said their goal is to see reduction in foreign assistance and the domestic resources to take over the control over development projects in Bangladesh.
Mentioning that the USAID assistance has doubled over the last four years, the USAID top official said, This is a reflection of our commitment to development in Bangladesh.
Quoting US President Barack Obama, he said the US will work with friends around the world to eliminate poverty as they want to create a museum for the poverty by 2025. Poverty in the world will be in museum by 2025.
GSP Facility
US Ambassador Dan Mozena said Bangladesh would not be able to benefit from the positive conclusion of the WTO negotiations on duty- and quota-free market facilities if Bangladesh has lost GSP facility.
That would be a worst thing. I wouldnt want to see that happened, the US envoy said.
Mozena said the GSP (Generalized System of Preferences) issue matters hugely for two reasons. Itll send the most negative messages around the world about Bangladesh as trade partners, he said.
Secondly, the US envoy said, in the WTO (World Trade Organization), there is a track of negotiations to bring DFQF (duty-free quota-free) facilities for the LDCs and these talks and negotiations are moving ahead.
This negotiation will conclude in the next two years, may be in three years successfully, he said.
Mozena mentioned that Bangladesh exported goods worth US$ 5 billion to the US market in the last year. Of the amount, about US$ 26 million export had benefited from the GSP.
He said information will be gathered about Bangladeshs actions taken in response to petition filed in 2007 and amended in 2012 and 2013. The petition is undergoing a review in the hearing that is happening today.
Bangladesh has sent a delegation of 15-member led by Commerce Secretary Mahbub Ahmed.
Mozena admitted that Bangladesh has been working over the past couple of months very hardly and very effectively (in this regard).
He said the hearing is only a step away and the result might arrive late May or early June.
On Ticfa (Trade and Investment Cooperation Framework Agreement), Mozena said, Im very hopeful of Ticfa. Weve decided that its good for us (US).
He said it is just establishing a forum to identify obstacles and address those to increase trade and investment. If its not good for Bangladesh, just walk away, I hope, Bangladesh will find it as a useful thing.
On political scenario prevailing here, the US envoy said, We know the situation here. What is needed is for the major political parties to talk to each other in constructive dialogue for holding a free, fair and credible election.
On democracy, the US envoy said this country is 42-year-old and it is building and strengthening its democratic institutions. Its an unending process. You never finish the job dealing with democracy. Its not an easy job to do. This country just must be a democracy.
He said this is not going to be a happy day if undemocratic governance prevails in Bangladesh. Im fully confident democracy will continue to grow and strengthen in Bangladesh.
UNBconnect... - Bangladesh needs to be helped in int
It may miss DFQF facility if it loses GSP, says US envoy
Reported by: UNBconnect
Reported on: March 28, 2013 17:21 PM
Reported in: National
News - Bangladesh needs to be helped in intl security interest: Steinberg
Dhaka, Mar 28 (UNB) Visiting USAID Deputy Administrator Donald Steinberg on Thursday said they need to help Bangladesh in the interest of international security.
Its actually international security interest to help Bangladesh because a peaceful and prosperous Bangladesh wont traffic in people, in drugs and in weapons. It wont harbor terrorists or pirates, he told reporters at a press conference at the American Center here explaining why the US and USAID are in Bangladesh.
Donald Steinberg hoped a peaceful and prosperous Bangladesh will not send refugees cross border or across the oceans and will not transfer pandemic diseases. Im no way saying these factors are currently existing in Bangladesh.
He said: The beauty of peace and prosperity that weve seen in Bangladesh has allowed us to avoid falling into any of those traps.
Steinberg said the US will continue to support international peace through international peacekeeping efforts that are underway.
US Ambassador in Dhaka Dan Mozena, USAID Bangladesh Richard Greene and Press Secretary of the US Embassy Kelly McCarthy were also present.
Donald Steinberg said Bangladesh is important for the USA for economic interest too and the (US) administration will do everything possible to maintain a strong level of assistance (to Bangladesh).
On Bangladeshs democracy, he said Bangladesh democracy is flourishing. You have an active, vibrant and professional press that forces maintain transparency were seeking to maintain a strong level of support.
He, however, said their goal is to see reduction in foreign assistance and the domestic resources to take over the control over development projects in Bangladesh.
Mentioning that the USAID assistance has doubled over the last four years, the USAID top official said, This is a reflection of our commitment to development in Bangladesh.
Quoting US President Barack Obama, he said the US will work with friends around the world to eliminate poverty as they want to create a museum for the poverty by 2025. Poverty in the world will be in museum by 2025.
GSP Facility
US Ambassador Dan Mozena said Bangladesh would not be able to benefit from the positive conclusion of the WTO negotiations on duty- and quota-free market facilities if Bangladesh has lost GSP facility.
That would be a worst thing. I wouldnt want to see that happened, the US envoy said.
Mozena said the GSP (Generalized System of Preferences) issue matters hugely for two reasons. Itll send the most negative messages around the world about Bangladesh as trade partners, he said.
Secondly, the US envoy said, in the WTO (World Trade Organization), there is a track of negotiations to bring DFQF (duty-free quota-free) facilities for the LDCs and these talks and negotiations are moving ahead.
This negotiation will conclude in the next two years, may be in three years successfully, he said.
Mozena mentioned that Bangladesh exported goods worth US$ 5 billion to the US market in the last year. Of the amount, about US$ 26 million export had benefited from the GSP.
He said information will be gathered about Bangladeshs actions taken in response to petition filed in 2007 and amended in 2012 and 2013. The petition is undergoing a review in the hearing that is happening today.
Bangladesh has sent a delegation of 15-member led by Commerce Secretary Mahbub Ahmed.
Mozena admitted that Bangladesh has been working over the past couple of months very hardly and very effectively (in this regard).
He said the hearing is only a step away and the result might arrive late May or early June.
On Ticfa (Trade and Investment Cooperation Framework Agreement), Mozena said, Im very hopeful of Ticfa. Weve decided that its good for us (US).
He said it is just establishing a forum to identify obstacles and address those to increase trade and investment. If its not good for Bangladesh, just walk away, I hope, Bangladesh will find it as a useful thing.
On political scenario prevailing here, the US envoy said, We know the situation here. What is needed is for the major political parties to talk to each other in constructive dialogue for holding a free, fair and credible election.
On democracy, the US envoy said this country is 42-year-old and it is building and strengthening its democratic institutions. Its an unending process. You never finish the job dealing with democracy. Its not an easy job to do. This country just must be a democracy.
He said this is not going to be a happy day if undemocratic governance prevails in Bangladesh. Im fully confident democracy will continue to grow and strengthen in Bangladesh.
