By- The Chairman of "Opex & Sinha Textile Group", Bangladesh.
Date: 18.11.2012
Chairman of the
session, Honorable vice –chancellor of BRAC University, chief guest, Excellency
DAN Mozena, US Ambassador to Bangladesh, Excellences, distinguished guests’,
members of BRAC University Business club.
I am delighted
& honored to be invited to speak in the seminar on a fascinating subject- US
- Bangladesh relationship on the delightful winter afternoon.
Ladies &
gentlemen,
Relationship
between two sovereign states ultimately revolves around the foundation of fundamental
shared values.
While these shared values will be elaborated later on in my speech- it is worth
while to draw a comparative picture between the two counters.
Bangladesh is a
poor country of the size Wisconsin with huge concentration of people – 54,000 square
miles accommodating 120 million people. Pervasive poverty still remains at an
unacceptably high level. With a small natural resource issues base literacy rate
remains low. It’s economic potential could not be harnessed under an exploitative
rule. Yet the country showed unparalleled courage in fighting an armed
liberation war. It has faced with courage and resilience successive wave of
natural disasters, and stood erect again to face the many challenges.
The United States
on the other hand with higher level of education has been the world leader in
technological innovation, amazing managerial skill in the use of financial and
natural resource for productive purpose. It has achieved a miraculous level of
military strength. Differing standard can be multiplied.
Even with this
apparent differences our relationship have evolved around some shared values. In the case of
Bangladesh & the United States these shared values have been our deep commitment
to build an create a institutionalized democratic political structure, non
discriminatory, with right of individual & groups protected & ensured
by a deep respect for human rights. The structure is designed & intended to
be participatory & inclusive, political differences are resolved through
adherence to highest commitment to political tolerance
Historically
realization of democratic ideals has never been easy since it is achieve
through a complex. United States, as an early starter had its own experience of trial and error,
adherence and threatened derailment. This is the beautify of the system
evolving but never loosing its majesty of adherence to ideals.
In our case
Bangladesh had a more chorused Hiltons of democratic evolution _ the libation
was being inspired by a deep commitment to establish a democratic society. The
principle ideological catalyst. The 1972 constriction symbolized the
assimilation of democratic ideas with a pronounced commitment to ensure
economic justice in a poor society.
Our democratic
pursuit had its chequered evolution - experiment with an one party system,
irresponsible armed adventurism, and experimentation with administered
democracy, - ultimately return to multiparty system. Important point is our
relentless march for the pursuit of our democratic ideal, we got consistent
support of the US government. President Clinton visited Bangladesh & declared
his unqualified support. A process of implied partnership has characterized this
process.
A significant feature
of the partnership has been our joint denunciation to any form of militant religious
fundamentalism threatening the democratic evolution. It is born out by a common
realization that encouragement to religious fundamentalism is dangerous to
democracy. United States has been supportive of this concern and we hope this
pattern will continue.
Immediately
after independence the United States recognized the need for economic
assistance of a new country and extended its supportive hand. A huge PL-480 program
was launched followed by a large rehabilitation grant, a Rural Electrification
program etc.
Referenced as a
basket case, Bangladeshi’s journey to economic independence has been long and
spectacular. The private sector’s roles as the engine of growth was a
recognition of the inherently creativity of the human mind – financial and
infrastructural support mobilized in his favour. The result was spectacular.
The farmer started producing grain and a food deficit country achieving a
surplus status. From almost a zero start the RMG sector achieve the growth
which dazzled the world. The United States become the single largest market.
I have been a
humble player in this endeavor – and my company Opex Sinha Group now employees
55,000 people. RMG sector will continue to play a vital role in the economy of
Bangladesh. Support has been sought for a duty free entry of our RMG export and
it still pending consideration. Supportive alternative could be duty free entry
of merchandise made out of cotton imported from United States only. This could
be beneficial to the U.S farmer and the poor Bangladesh worker. Duty free entry
could result in huge trickledown effect on the elevation of property in
Bangladesh. Labour management as a critical component of the industry. We treat
our labour for on a human level, respect their dignity – we pay them reasonably
well and in time. We look after their health needs. A deeper understanding
looks imperative. This area can be further improved we need support of United
States and can work out in detail.
With a very
liberal investment policy in place US investment in Bangladesh has not been
very impressive excepting the energy sector. Robust Exim Bank assistance
supported by US government is needed for import of heavy Machinery.
Padma Bridge- US
as the biggest share holder of the World Bank – assistance can be sought.
Ladies and
Gentlemen,
As I have said
US – Bangladesh relation has evolved on the bases of shared values – our
commitment to democratic values – our resolved to eradicate poverty through
appropriate cooperative economic measures. This two objectives, in my judgment
remains the corner stone of our our mutual relation. In an interdependent world,
realization of these ideals demand the support and cooperation of the United
States as a world leader. It remains our fervent hope that the United States
will continue to extend its cooperative hand as it has always done.
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