We welcome the newest US Ambassador to Bangladesh, Marcia Bernicat. Ambassador: We have been waiting for you since your name was announced as the next possible US envoy to Bangladesh in May of last year. Having respectable visibility about the ambassador selection process, we are well aware of why it took so much time for you to join the Bangladesh mission. I am sure that you are well-briefed about your duties here.
My boss at Citibank told me how he was a little dismayed when his Bangladesh posting was declared. He was transferred from Russia to Bangladesh. Believe me, the British gentleman was literally crying when we saw him off at the airport after his four-year stint in Bangladesh. Throughout those years, he made more friends and well-wishers than in the last 20 years of his professional life.
He was overwhelmed by the warmth and hospitality extended to him by his colleagues, clients, neighbours, and even the women working for the Citi-supported NGOs in rural Bangladesh. I am sure it has been the same case with all of your predecessors, especially the immediate one, Dan Mozena, who visited all 64 administrative districts in Bangladesh and gained respectable knowledge about a variety of issues.
Is Bangladesh too different from Senegal and Guinea-Bissau? Of course. Having done macro-audits in many African countries, I can tell you, capacity is an issue in all of Africa. Despite the availability of resources and endowments, most of them could not succeed and win over poverty. In Bangladesh, there is plenty of capacity among young entrepreneurs, women, and university students, and in the civil-military bureaucracy too at times.
Most of them want to do more, but for the political divide, or too much partisanship, favours or licenses only go to a few select groups or individuals. Young graduates from leading US or British universities find it extremely tough to follow the entrepreneurship route – licensing, bank financing, utility connections, and safety and security issues for women – there are hurdles everywhere.
You might tell me how, despite so many challenges, Bangladesh is doing good. Yes. With a bit more support and hand-holding, we can create wonders. People here are hard-working, diligent, and resilient. Tidal surges, cyclones, or even strikes and blockades can’t do much deter to them or their way up.
I have worked with the US state department to facilitate entrepreneurial and media exchange programs for our two nations. A few of your colleagues here in Dhaka were found to be extremely committed towards capacity-building among our young entrepreneurs and media folk.
Bangladesh’s civil bureaucrats, having received higher education in the United States, played a significant role in transitioning our controlled-but-poor economy into a prosperous and competitive one. Most of them, having taken part in our Liberation War, have studied in the US. To see more higher education for our civil bureaucrats being sponsored by the US government would be nice.
Bangladesh is increasingly becoming more digital. The country is reported to be the third largest independent producer and supplier of apps.
Our Union Information Centres have created wonders in building an inclusive history of growth and speeding up rural peoples’ lives. The US government or its larger conglomerates should come forward and help in taking these forward.
Bangladesh does not need money, its entrepreneurs, bureaucrats, and politicians need transfer of ideas and knowledge. You can easily get big US professors or scientists to visit Bangladesh and share their “knowledge bank.” We want more of our BUET graduates to study technology in leading US universities under your sponsorship.
Bangladesh exports have exceeded the $5bn mark to the US, while we import around $1bn worth of goods from the US. US procurers pay around 15% duty for importing “made in Bangladesh” goods to US markets. This is almost triple the size of the US development aid to Bangladesh, if not more.
If this tariff rate could be reduced, we could see more Bangladesh exports to the US. More export means more money in the hands of exporters, and some more money for improving productivity and the safety of workers.
Our parliament, judiciary, and Anti Corruption Commission all need to learn the right definitions of democracy, justice, and corruption, and get their acts straight in this increasingly globalised world. They need to see for themselves, how it works better elsewhere in the world.
In Bangladesh, you can see what may be the most tolerant Muslim society in the world. Religious harmony and cultural affinity are deep-rooted here. Bangladesh may not be the most developed country, though we have hosted so many “Rakhines” from Myanmar here. Support from the US should continue towards building a more tolerant society here.
What can a US ambassador do for a country like Bangladesh? Your predecessors Mary Ann Peters, Harry K Thomas, Patricia Butenis, or Dan W Mozena had tried their best to ensure success transfer to this country, building capacity for our enterprises, and to help public power be more prevalent.
I am sure you will do your best to build on their strengths, and take things forward. Best of luck, Your Excellency.
