The United States has expressed its commitment to support Bangladesh in its recent initiatives aimed at ensuring inclusive economic growth and implementing institutional reforms.

On Sunday, a visiting high-powered US delegation reiterated this stance during a meeting with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in the capital.

“Our delegation met with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, affirming our dedication to fostering inclusive economic growth, institution building, and development to benefit the people of Bangladesh,” stated the US Embassy in Dhaka following the meeting.

During the discussions, Brent Neiman, assistant secretary for International Finance at the US Department of the Treasury, and Donald Lu, assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs—who had visited Delhi prior to their arrival in Bangladesh—along with other members of the delegation, engaged with the chief adviser and Bangladeshi officials on the government’s reform plans and potential avenues for US assistance.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has already announced a grant of US$202.25 million for three sectors under the 6th amendment of the Development Objective Grant Agreement (DOAG).

Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin described the discussion as laying the groundwork for enhanced communication with the US.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said, “We think it is a foundation for meaningful engagement with the US. We will take forward this discussion at various levels in the future. It is a good foundation to move ahead.”

The foreign secretary mentioned that the visiting US delegation was interested in learning about the government’s reform plans.

Topics of discussion included the scope of US assistance in these reforms, increasing bilateral trade and investment, improving the work environment, safeguarding human rights, and addressing the Rohingya crisis.

Finance and Commerce Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed noted that the discussions focused on strategies for repatriating laundered money and how the US can assist Bangladesh in this area with their expertise. “Our main discussion was with their Treasury Department and USAID. It centred on financial reform and the cooperation needed in the financial sector,” he said. “The second aspect was trade. We are looking for various technical assistance or market exploration in the trade sector,” he added.

The US officials also met with Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain at the State Guesthouse Padma, where Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin hosted a working lunch.

This marks the first visit by a US delegation to Bangladesh since the interim government led by Prof Muhammad Yunus assumed office in August.