U.S. Special Envoy Meets Prime Minister Tarek Rahman, Discusses Investment and Rohingya Crisis

U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarek Rahman on Saturday (August 1) at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon. The meeting focused on bilateral relations, investment opportunities, trade cooperation, and the Rohingya crisis.

During the meeting, Gor expressed the U.S. government's confidence in Prime Minister Tarek Rahman’s leadership, noting that stability has returned to Bangladesh under his administration. He also said the United States has positively revised its travel advisory for Bangladesh, a move he described as an important signal to American investors that the country is ready for investment.

The Rohingya issue was also discussed. Referring to his recent visit to the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar, the U.S. envoy praised the government and people of Bangladesh for continuing to provide shelter and humanitarian assistance to the displaced population.

Prime Minister Rahman highlighted that more than half of the international assistance provided to the Rohingyas comes from the United States and expressed gratitude to the American government and people for their support. Both sides emphasized the importance of finding a sustainable political solution to the Rohingya crisis.

The two countries also agreed to work together to resume FDA-supported pilot activities in Bangladesh.

Inviting greater U.S. investment, the Prime Minister encouraged American businesses to invest in storage and warehousing facilities for soybeans, cotton, wheat, and other agricultural commodities. He said such investments would help build a stronger and more competitive supply chain. He also underscored Bangladesh’s strong interest in attracting investment in the information technology sector.

In response, Sergio Gor observed that Bangladesh has significant potential in the technology sector and could become a future partner in major international technology initiatives.

The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, Foreign Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister Humayun Kabir, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obayed Islam, Prime Minister’s advisers Rehan Asif Asad and Mahdi Amin, Bangladesh Ambassador to Washington Tarek Md. Ariful Islam, U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent Christensen, and other senior officials from both countries.

By Fazle Rabbi Palash, Special Correspondent, The Mirror News