Just saw on facebook, US ambassador to BD Mr.Dan Mozena arranged a live chat for discussing BD's future economic and social progress.He seems to be very passionate about Bangladesh and its people,such a great man.
I am just quoting some of his comments from that live discussion session which took place on facebook ,
Dan Mozena : @ashaduzzaman ataullah; Anis Rahman: "I am pleased that World Bank financing for the Padma Bridge seems to be back on track. America and Bangladesh's other partners UK, Japan and India worked hard to help bring that loan possibility back on the table after the Bank rejected it in June. The Padma Bridge is critical to realizing the Royal Bengal Tiger as it would make possible greatly expanded intra-regional trade ...
the New Silk Road that Secretary Clinton talked about when she was here in May. God again blessed Bangladesh by giving the nation a critical geo-economic location: the very nexus of trade between South and Central Asia and China and Southeast Asia ... what a blessing!"
Dan Mozena
Titas Ahmed, Moses Halder, Shah Uddin Sumon, "I think Bangladesh could be/should be the next Asian Tiger, the Royal Bengal Tiger. The key to realizing this vision is greatly expanded investment in the readymade garment sector and the household textile sector, making Bangladesh the world's largest exporter of each, replacing China."
Dan Mozena : @ Ahmed Sagir, "I think Bangladesh's current power and energy shortages could be resolved by smart decisions and investment. For example,
Bangladesh has enormous reserves of highest quality, low sulphur coal. This coal should be developed and used to generate the power needed to enable Bangladesh to become an Asian Tiger. Also, more pipelines need to be built to move increasing supplies of natural gas. Also, exploration of Bangladesh's off-shore areas needs to be expedited. I'm pleased that yesterday GE, the world's third largest company, signed two deals to build two new, gas-fired, high efficiency power plants that will generate more than 650 MW of power."
Dan Mozena : @Salauddin Bappy, "The Royal Bengal Tiger of my vision would create literally millions and millions of new jobs in the RMG sector and in the silk and jute sectors. In silk, for example, Bangladesh currently produces 50 tons a year and utilizes 300 tons. The world silk industry is shifting from the Far East and China to India. I think it should come to Bangladesh, which could produce 1000 tons a year, which would create additional millions of new jobs in this highly labor intensive industry."
Dan Mozena : @ Azhar Hussain Chowdhury, "There are many obstacles to Bangladesh's becoming the next Asian Tiger: inadequate ports, railroads, roads; deficient supplies of energy and power, inadequate rule of law, uncertain political stability and, the one you identified, corruption/transparency. I believe corruption undermines the nation's growth and that Bangladesh cannot become an Asian Tiger unless corruption is reined in. As always, Bangladesh is much blessed by God, as everyone of these obstacles is surmountable, including corruption, with adequate political goodwill."
Dan Mozena : @ Kazi Nasrin Siddiqa, "I think civil society has a huge role to play in Bangladesh's becoming an Asian Tiger. The media, for example, can lead the battle against corruption by shining bright lights into dark corners to expose corruption and bring culprits to book. I'm pleased that our programshere at the Embassy help train journalists, including dozens of women journalists, on how to do effective investigative reporting. (I recall fondly visiting your school recently.)"
Dan Mozena : @ Tapan Ghosh, "The key to developing all these infrastructural needs is to create an investment climate that attracts domestic and foreign investors.
In my speech yesterday at the signing ceremony for the two GE power deals, I said companies will come to Bangladesh when it makes sense to come. GE has obviously decided that it makes sense to come ... I hope other American companies follow GE's example. (Note: you can find the text of my speech on the Embassy's website.)"
Dan Mozena : @ Ahmad Hossain; Shoaib Mukit, "
Bangladeshi young people are already showing the way by creating their own NGOs to build a better Bangladesh and by bringing new management concepts to business. Indeed, the future is already arriving, thanks to the energy and dynamism of Bangladesh's incredible young people."
Dan Mozena : @ Prapti Priyodorshini, "
The magic of Bangladesh is rooted in its deep culture of tolerance, moderation and acceptance of differences. The sad events of Ramu recently made clear that some elements of Bangladeshi society want to destroy this culture of tolerance and replace it with one of hate and intolerance. The people of Bangladesh need to stand up to this threat and make clear that they will not accept such intolerance."
Dan Mozena : @ Tarek Mollah, "
As Bangladesh's continuing impressive growth over the past two decades demonstrates, the private sector is the engine of Bangladesh's growth over the past 20 years, and the key to Bangladesh's becoming the next Asian Tiger."
Dan Mozena : @ Bazlur Rahman,
"When I presented my credentials to HE President Zillur Rahman last November, I said that I was the American Ambassador to Bangladesh, not just Dhaka, and I committed myself to visiting all 64 districts, which I am now doing. The more I travel in this wondrous country, the more opportunity for growth I see. For example, when I visited Mymensingh/Tangail, I saw huge opportunities for fish production, sustainable timber production, pineapple and jackfruit processing, silk production, vegetable production and the list goes on. Everywhere I go in Bangladesh, I see good people working hard. With investment and new ideas, these people could produce even more, enough more to create the Royal Bengal Tiger. With such wonderful people, Bangladesh gives me the greatest hope for the nation's future."