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Bangladesh has invited US investment in water supply, waste management and renewable energy, while the two countries have agreed to further deepen and expand their existing ties.
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen met with Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moin Khan at the Secretariat on Monday (August 24).
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shah Alam said the two sides discussed various government policies and issues of mutual interest.
Although the meeting was primarily a courtesy call, the ambassador welcomed the members of the new cabinet, the state minister said. He added that the minister and the ambassador have maintained a long-standing relationship.
During the meeting, Bangladesh proposed US investment in water supply, waste management and renewable energy. The US side expressed interest in considering the proposals, Shah Alam said.
He said the minister and the ambassador agreed on the need to further strengthen the existing friendly relations between Bangladesh and the United States and to work together to advance cooperation between the two countries.
The state minister said the US side also expressed willingness to cooperate under public-private partnership (PPP) arrangements, particularly in water supply, waste management and renewable energy.
Further discussions will be held at the secretary level and among relevant officials from both countries, he added.
Regarding waste-to-energy projects, Shah Alam said large amounts of waste are accumulating in various city corporations across the country.
He noted that Dhaka North City Corporation has already signed an agreement with a Chinese company to generate electricity from waste. The company plans to produce around 40 megawatts of electricity from waste within the next 18 to 20 months.
Discussions were also held on securing US cooperation for similar waste-to-energy and renewable energy projects, he said.
The Ministry of Local Government will work on matters under its jurisdiction, while relevant ministries will handle issues concerning other sectors, Shah Alam added.
