US Reaffirms Confidence in Bangladesh Under PM Tarique Rahman's Leadership

Image: Collected

US Special Presidential Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor on Saturday said the United States has strong confidence in Bangladesh's leadership under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, noting that Washington's decision to revise its travel advisory reflects growing trust in the country's stability.

Speaking during a courtesy meeting with the prime minister at the Prime Minister's Office in Tejgaon at around 9:30am, Gor said the updated travel advisory would also send a positive signal to American investors that Bangladesh is prepared to welcome new investment.

According to Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin, the meeting focused on bilateral trade and investment, cooperation in the food and pharmaceutical sectors, the Rohingya issue, and wider economic collaboration.

The discussions also included the possibility of a visit to Bangladesh by a delegation from the US-Bangladesh Business Council.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman encouraged increased US investment, particularly in warehousing facilities for soybeans, cotton, wheat and other agricultural products, saying such initiatives would strengthen the country's supply chain and improve competitiveness.

The meeting further explored expanding cooperation with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Gor assured the prime minister that he would support efforts to restart FDA testing activities in Bangladesh.

Both sides also discussed investment opportunities through the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). The prime minister called for continued American investment, while Gor said the United States would take a positive approach to enhancing DFC investment cooperation in Bangladesh.

Gor also said American investors based in Dhaka were interested in holding a US investor summit in Bangladesh and added that he was personally working to facilitate the initiative.

Highlighting Bangladesh's interest in attracting investment in the information technology sector, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said the country is eager to expand cooperation in the field.

Gor responded that Bangladesh holds considerable potential in information technology and could eventually become a partner in the PAX Silica initiative, a US-led international economic security coalition established in December 2025 to strengthen supply chains for artificial intelligence, semiconductors and critical minerals.

The Rohingya crisis was another major topic of discussion. After visiting the refugee camps in Cox's Bazar, Gor praised Bangladesh and its people for continuing to provide shelter and humanitarian support to the displaced population.

The prime minister noted that more than half of the international assistance for the Rohingya refugees comes from the United States and expressed appreciation for the continued support of the US government and its people.

Gor underscored the importance of reaching a lasting political solution to the Rohingya crisis and stressed the need for coordinated efforts involving Asean, neighbouring countries and other stakeholders.

Foreign Affairs Minister Khalilur Rahman, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir, Adviser Mahdi Amin, Bangladesh Ambassador to Washington Tarek Md Ariful Islam, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent Christensen and other senior officials were present at the meeting.

Source: The Daily Star