Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus is holding a meeting with a high-level delegation from the United States.
The meeting started at the state guest house Jamuna at around 10:55am on Sunday (15 September), said the Chief Adviser's Press Wing.
US Department of Treasury Assistant Under Secretary Brent Neiman arrived in Dhaka to lead the US delegation in discussions on bilateral relations.
The meeting between the delegation and Dr Yunus was scheduled to address critical issues, with further talks planned with Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, and Foreign Secretary Jasim Uddin.
According to sources from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh is expected to seek US assistance in recovering funds siphoned off during the previous Awami League government.
Additionally, discussions are likely to cover ensuring cooperative relations between Dhaka and New Delhi. Dhaka will also anticipate continued support from the US for the interim government.
Brent Neiman arrived in Dhaka on Saturday (14 September) morning for a three-day visit.
He was received at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by Khandaker Masudul Alam, director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (North America Wing). Donald Lu, the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, another key member of the six-person delegation, joined the group after arriving from New Delhi later in the afternoon.
This is the first visit of such a high-level US delegation to Dhaka since the formation of the interim government under the leadership of Dr Yunus.
Representatives from the US Department of State, the Treasury, USAID, and the Department of Commerce are part of the delegation.
Sources in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicate that following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on 5 August, the United States is keen to strengthen relations with the new government, particularly through financial and economic cooperation.
The US hopes that Bangladesh will recover economically and continue its path of development.
Dhaka is preparing for extensive and multifaceted discussions with the US delegation.
In addition to the meeting with Dr Yunus, the delegation is set to hold talks with Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain, Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, and other relevant officials.
Foreign Secretary Jasim Uddin will host a luncheon in honour of the visiting delegation, which will be attended by representatives from various ministries.
The US Department of State has stated that during the visit, Assistant Secretary Donald Lu will reaffirm his country’s commitment to strengthening economic growth and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
