US Ambassador in Dhaka Peter Haas has said that Washington wants to accompany Bangladesh on its journey to becoming a developed country by 2041, anchored on democracy, free speech, and transparency.
"We always aspire to keep moving forward, to develop our economies, culture, education systems, and democracies," he said while speaking to a select group of journalists, including Dhaka Tribune, before the beginning of the Independence Day reception at Hotel Sheraton in Banani on Sunday.
The United States celebrated the 247th anniversary of its independence on July 4 this year. The day commemorates the country's declaration of independence from British rule on July 4, 1776.
The ambassador said the ideals of independence of both countries were the same – nationalism, democracy, secularism, and socialism, the four principles of Bangladesh.
Looking back, he said Bangladesh had made "amazing" progress from a poor country to a middle-income country.
Looking forward, he said in the next 50 years things would be "different" since Bangladesh had set a target to become a developed country by 2041.
"To be a developed country lies in developing institutions, educating your people, improving infrastructure, and making it easy for both Bangladeshis and foreigners to invest here," he said, adding that the US wants to accompany the journey with the spirit of democracy, free speech, and transparency.
He, however, acknowledged that no country is perfect when it comes to democracy.
"We (US) are not perfect. We continue to form a more perfect union," he said.
In the reception, a special photo exhibition was also organized, showcasing Bangladeshis who have made their homes in many of the 50 states of America.
"To me, the story of Bangladeshis in the United States exemplifies something important: the strength of our democracy is in our people, and the strength of our people gets full expression in our democracy," the ambassador said in his formal speech at the reception.
"We believe those principles, the principles that define America, extend beyond our borders. And we also believe that those values will anchor US-Bangladeshi ties, now and in the future," he said.
On Independence Day, Americans come together to honor their history, celebrate their diversity, and reaffirm their commitment to liberty and justice for all. It is a day of parades, fireworks, barbecues, and gatherings where people express their patriotic spirit and gratitude for the opportunities and freedoms they enjoy.
Over the past five decades, the US has provided more than $8 billion in assistance, contributing to impressive achievements such as tripling rice production and reducing maternal and newborn mortality by 70%.
Furthermore, the US has played a pivotal role in Bangladesh's response to the Covid-19 pandemic, donating nearly 115 million vaccine doses to support the country's vaccination efforts.
US companies have also made significant contributions to Bangladesh's economic landscape. Renowned corporations like Chevron, Metlife, Ellicott Dredges, Visa & Mastercard, and Citi NA have established a robust presence in the country, further enhancing bilateral economic ties.
US-Bangladesh bilateral trade has experienced remarkable growth, witnessing a surge of more than 32% from 2021 to 2022.
Moreover, the US remains the largest international donor to the Rohingya crisis response, having contributed over $2.1 billion to Bangladesh, Myanmar, and the region since 2017.