‘Messengers of positive Bangladesh’

New York senators want to be the messengers of a youthful and positive Bangladesh, which is witnessing a significant growth in economic and social sectors, and facilitate more business and educational exchanges between the two countries.

“People here are incredibly hospitable, kind and generous,” said Senator James Skoufis, one of five New York State senators, after a weeklong visit to Bangladesh.

During their visit, senators Skoufis, Luis Sepulveda, Leroy Comrie, Kevin S Parker and John C Liu went to Sylhet and the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar.

They also held meetings with members of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and the Sylhet Chamber of Commerce and few educators.

Skoufis said opening the door to nearly a million Rohingyas is a reflection of how generous Bangladesh is.

Not many countries would show this generosity and make such a great sacrifice, the senator added.

“Most media talk about flooding and other negative issues. That’s not justice to the country,” he said.

 Skoufis was speaking at a reception hosted by Center for NRB Foundation at American Club in the capital on Friday evening.

Skoufis said he has seen many positive things in this country.

“We are going to be the messengers for Bangladesh and get the positive messages out in the world,” he said.

Also, people need to understand all the positivity -- for travel, businesses, education and cultural exchange, Senator Skoufis added.

The senator said Bangladesh economy is growing at a great speed, and the business potential is tremendous here.

As the senators go back to New York, he said, they would facilitate some connections between the businesses of New York and Bangladesh.

Noting that the US is so far the largest donor in humanitarian assistance to the Rohingyas, the senator said they would do whatever they can for a sustainable solution to the crisis.

Terming the first visit by the New York senators a historic one, Senator Sepulveda said he has a special relationship with the Bangladeshi community in New York, home to around 60,000 Bangladeshi Americans.

He said as they go back to New York, they would talk to the public universities there and try to set up education exchange programme, given that Bangladesh has a great number of talented students.

“We want to encourage federal representatives to do business with Bangladesh so that we can benefit from business and relationship,” Sepulveda added.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller said he is working with Bangladesh to resume Dhaka-New York direct flight to explore more business opportunities between the two countries.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines used to operate flights on Dhaka-New York route till 2006.

But, currently Biman or any other airlines from Bangladesh are not allowed to fly to the USA directly.

The restriction is in place as Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the US has downgraded the Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh (CAAB) to Category-2.

Ferdousi Shahriar, director general (America) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the New York senators are the ones who support the Bangladeshi community there.

It was due for them to be familiar with Bangladesh, she added.

“I hope you know Bangladesh better now; this will surely strengthen our relationship,” said the director general (America) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Center for NRB Foundation President ME Chowdhury Shameem and CEO Dilara Afroz Khan Rupa also spoke at the event, among others.