US govt exploring possibilities of producing vaccines in Bangladesh: ambassador

The US government is exploring the possibilities of producing vaccines in Bangladeshi pharmaceutical companies, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller has said.

He said this as he called on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam at the ministry today. They discussed ongoing cooperation between the two countries in combating Covid-19 pandemic, including providing vaccine for meeting Bangladesh's immediate needs.

Miller informed that the US government is working on the issue of vaccine supplies, and has recommended having a regional approach in South Asia in distributing vaccines from the US.

"He [Miller] also informed that the US government is exploring the possibilities to produce US vaccines in Bangladeshi pharmaceutical companies," said a foreign ministry statement.

State Minister Alam urged the US to take a proactive role for stopping the bloodshed in Palestine immediately. He also reiterated Bangladesh's support for the two-state solution.

He urged for providing timely visa interview slots for Bangladeshi students intending to go to the US for studies, observing that a large number of students are facing difficulties.

US Ambassador Miller assured that they are working on resolving the backlog created by the lockdown situation.