Bangladesh Can Be China's Alternative: Momen

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said that Bangladesh can act as an alternative to China in terms of American investment in the light of the trade war between the United States and China. 

AK Abdul Momen informed U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo over phone on Monday that there is a great business atmosphere in Bangladesh. They spoke to each other for approximately forty minutes.

AK Abdul Momen said that in several respects the United States is turning away from China. The United States can choose Bangladesh as a replacement to satisfy this void, said AK Abdul Momen. Mike Pompeo said the American Chamber of Commerce is looking at these things. He indicated that Bangladesh would be willing to begin talks with the American Chambers of Commerce on trade issues.

The US Embassy in Dhaka sent a press release to media regarding the conversation between Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

AK Abdul Momen urged Mike Pompeo to impose economic embargos on Myanmar for tormenting the Rohingyas and for the failure of Myanmar to repatriate the Rohingya refugees. AK Abdul Momen also called on Mike Pompeo to abolish the Generalized System of Preference (GPS) facility in Myanmar.

Mike Pompeo commented that the Rohingya issue is an important phenomenon. Mike Pompeo admired Bangladesh government's generosity in sheltering the Rohingya refugees.

Mike Pompeo stated that the United States has so far paid 820 million dollars to Bangladesh over the Rohingya crisis as part of humanitarian aid.AK Abdul Momen and Mike Pompeo both agreed to discuss the Rohingya predicament so that the Rohingyas can go back home with safety.

AK Abdul Momen told Mike Pompeo that U.S. firms had cancelled their orders with Bangladesh's ready-made garment (RMG) market. AK Abdul Momen referred to it as a sad event. AK Abdul Momen asked Mike Pompeo to allow Bangladeshi items like duty-free apparel and duty-free entry to the American market.

Both AK Abdul Momen and Mike Pompeo pledged to work together to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. They also emphasized on keeping up good ties between the two countries. Mike Pompeo said that America has so far paid 43 million dollars to Bangladesh to deal with COVID 19.

During the telephone conversation, AK Abdul Momen urged Mike Pompeo to extradite the convicted assassin of Bangabandhu, Rashed Chowdhury. Mike Pompeo indicated that AK Abdul Momen would speak to the American Department of Justice regarding this issue.