US Chargé d’Affaires Pays Farewell Call on Bangladesh Chief Adviser

On Monday, December 29, Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson, the Chargé d’Affaires of the United States to Bangladesh, paid a farewell call on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka. The meeting covered a variety of topics, including the upcoming parliamentary elections, the February referendum, trade, civil aviation, and the labour reforms initiated by the Interim Government.

Jacobson, who is concluding her tenure in Bangladesh, praised the leadership of the Chief Adviser over the past 17 months. She also reaffirmed the US government’s support for the February elections. The Chief Adviser reiterated his government’s commitment to ensuring free, fair, and peaceful elections, stressing that all necessary preparations were in place. “We are fully prepared,” Professor Yunus remarked, adding that any attempts to disrupt peace would be dealt with firmly.

The US Chargé d’Affaires also lauded the labour reforms undertaken by the Interim Government, highlighting the improvements to labour laws that are expected to boost foreign direct investment in Bangladesh. She also praised the withdrawal of 45 out of 46 cases filed against Bangladeshi labour leaders under previous administrations.
 

In response, Professor Yunus described the new labour ordinance as "an excellent piece of legislation" and noted that it had received praise from Bangladeshi labour activists and was welcomed by the ratification of International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions.

Additionally, they discussed humanitarian funding for the Rohingya population, with the Chief Adviser expressing gratitude to the US for its ongoing support. “The United States remains the single largest donor to life-saving humanitarian aid for over one million displaced Rohingyas in Bangladesh,” Professor Yunus said, emphasizing the hope that such support would continue in the future.
 

The Chief Adviser thanked Ambassador Jacobson for her "critical work" during her tenure and for being a "friend to Bangladesh." He also extended an invitation for her to visit again in the future.
 

National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman and SDG Coordinator and Senior Secretary Lamiya Morshed were also present at the meeting.