Washington wants to establish “a more comprehensive” partnership with Dhaka as Bangladesh continues to make “remarkable” progress in economics and development.
Nisha Desai Biswal, US President Barack Obama’s nominee for the post of Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian affairs, made this comment at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on September 12.
“This administration continues to urge greater progress on labour rights and transparency as we seek a more comprehensive partnership with that country [Bangladesh],” she said in her opening statement.
Currently, Dhaka and Washington have arrangements to hold a partnership dialogue, a security dialogue and a military-to-military dialogue annually.
The cabinet recently endorsed the signing of the much-talked-about Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum Agreement (Ticfa) with Washington – which Dhaka believes would further strengthen trade ties between the two countries.
The annual trade turnover between Bangladesh and the United States has alrady surpassed $5bn – althoughit is still heavily tilted towards Bangladesh.
In response to a question on labour rights issues, Nisha Desai said Bangladesh made some progress in this respect. “Indeed the suspension of GSP and incredible outpouring of concerns from the United States and the world have forced the Bangladeshis to take action.”
The US administration on June 27 suspended GSP facility for Bangladesh on the grounds of poor labour condition in the country.
“We have seen greater abilities for unions to form and organise. We have supported those efforts.”
The buyers of readymade garments from Europe and the US joined hands to improve the labour condition in Bangladesh, she said, adding “It is a very positive development.”
Nisha Desai, who would replace Robert Blake if the Senate approves her nomination, would work with interagency and the private sector to improve safety of the workers.
