Staff Reporter:
President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday urged the United States to simplify its visa pro-cessing procedures for Bangladeshi tourists and business people to facilitate people-to-people and business ties between the two countries.
The President made the call when US ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christenen paid a courte-sy call on him at Bangabhaban this morning.
During the meeting, the US envoy congratulated the President on his assumption of office as the President of Bangladesh.
Recalling the past US investment and cooperation in the country’s agricultural development, the President called for further US investment and cooperation in the country’s development sector.
He also referred to Chevron’s investment and important role in the development of the country’s energy sector and urged increased US investment in Bangladesh’s energy, information technology, infrastructure, and health and high-tech industries sectors.
The President also sought US cooperation in ensuring the safe, dignified and sustainable repatria-tion of the Rohingyas to their homeland.
The ambassador assured that the US would continue its cooperation with Bangladesh and stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation with ASEAN countries.
He also reiterated his US’s interest in further deepening and diversifying relations with Bangla-desh.
Military secretary to the President and Press Secretary and senior officials were present during the meeting.
