Bangladesh, US to work for stopping terror financing
Bangladesh and the United States have agreed to continue cooperation in countering terrorist financing and violent extremism.
As part of the globally recognised Financial Action Task Force (FATF) framework, in December, the US Embassy in Dhaka and the State Department will host a South Asia regional workshop in collaboration with the Bangladesh government to focus on best practices to counter violent extremism and terrorist financing.
Good discussions with Bangladesh Foreign Secretary on strengthening our partnership. pic.twitter.com/JL8gERwdrM
— Nisha Biswal (@NishaBiswal) October 29, 2014
Both the countries recognised the threat of terrorism in the world, and acknowledging the effectiveness of counterterrorism and anti-money laundering acts in Bangladesh, the State Departmkent quotes a Joint statement of the third US-Bangladesh Partnership Dialogue held on October 28-29 in Washington DC.
The US and Bangladesh delegations were led respectively by US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman and Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque.
The two leaders highlighted the robust and growing bilateral ties between Bangladesh and the United States and affirmed that the relationship is based on shared values and common goals of the two countries and their peoples.
They recognised that the Partnership Dialogue, established in 2012, presents an opportunity for the two moderate and pluralistic nations to engage in fruitful discussions towards a broader and deeper relationship.
The working Group discussions on October 28 covered the full range of bilateral and regional topics of interest, including development and governance, trade and investment, and security cooperation.
During a plenary session on October 29, the co-chairs reviewed progress by their delegations and identified areas for deepened cooperation on bilateral, regional and international priorities, including sustainable development, counterterrorism, migration, and climate change.
Following the second Partnership Dialogue in Dhaka in May 2013, Bangladesh and the United States have demonstrated their shared commitment to broadening and deepening their partnership, including through the signing of multiple agreements in November last year.
A memorandum of understanding between the US Drug Enforcement Agency and the Ministry of Home Affairs of Bangladesh charted a path for counternarcotics cooperation.
The signing of the Trade and Investment Cooperation Framework Agreement (TICFA) established an annual forum to identify and address obstacles to increasing bilateral trade and investment.
The first TICFA meeting in Dhaka in April 2014 resulted in, among other outcomes, the elimination by Bangladesh of import duties on fire-safety equipment.
The security cooperation between the two countries also grew over the past 17 months. The United States transferred the former Coast Guard cutter Jarvis to Bangladesh on October 26, 2013.
The newly re-christened Somudra Joy, the largest ship in the Bangladesh Navy, delivered 40 tonnes of aid to the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines during the ship’s initial voyage from California to Chittagong.
The United States plans to transfer a second coast guard cutter, the USCGC Rush, to join its sister ship in spring 2015. These transfers are a tangible demonstration of the United States’ commitment to strengthen Bangladesh’s capability to ensure the maritime security of the Bay of Bengal, the joint statement said.
The US Pacific Command continued to actively engage Bangladesh military counterparts with annual exercises including the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) and Pacific Resilience Disaster Relief Exercise and Exchange (PR DREE).
United States Special Operations Command Pacific continued trainings in the area of counterterrorism with a number of Bangladesh security forces – including the Bangladesh Navy Special Warfare and Diving Salvage (SWADS) unit and the Bangladesh Army 1st Para Commando Battalion (PCB).
Bangladesh, the world's largest troop contributing country, also co-hosted a peacekeeping summit at the 2014 UN General Assembly with US Vice President Joe Biden.
At that forum, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced even greater contributions to global peace and security.
The Bangladesh delegation appreciates the US efforts to promote the professionalisation of the Bangladesh military by pursuing ways to increase the number of Bangladeshis studying at US military institutions.
The United States has actively supported Bangladesh's work to promote workers' safety and labour rights, with particular emphasis on the garment sector.
During an October 20 conference on the Bangladesh-EU-US-International Labor Organisation Sustainability Compact, Bangladesh and United States reaffirmed their shared commitment to ensuring safe working conditions and protecting workers' rights.
The United States acknowledged Bangladesh’s progress in establishing a preliminary online database of inspections, working toward improving the capacity and resources of the labour inspectorate, beginning to hire new inspectors, carrying out factory inspections, registering new unions, and dropping cases against labour activists.
At the same time, both sides agree to continue working together to address outstanding needs to safeguard labour rights and workers’ health and safety.
Both sides continue to work on the Action Plan to reauthorise Bangladesh’s Generalized System of Preferences benefit at the earliest opportunity.
The United States has supported efforts to advance worker rights and worker safety with over $10 million in aid for worker safety and labour rights.
USAID plans to announce $5 million in new funding to help protect workers.
The United States remains committed to supporting Bangladesh’s ongoing efforts to combat the trafficking of its citizens, especially in overseas labour markets.
The United States acknowledged the presence of a vibrant civil society in Bangladesh, and both nations discussed ways to protect the important work of civil society along with broader citizens' rights and fundamental freedoms.
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