Joe WILSON, the US congressman and the co-chair of Congressional Bangladesh Caucus recognizes Bangladesh’s achievements after getting independence and lauded its current economic development.
In a statement issued on Thursday, he said, “During the nine-month-long Bangladesh Liberation War, members of the Pakistan Armed Forces and pro-Pakistani militias killed hundreds of thousands of people and injured many more. The war for independence was a struggle for democracy and freedom led by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.”
Joe Wilson said the economic situation facing Bangladesh as it emerged from the war of independence was dire. The Bengali people faced widespread poverty, chronic malnutrition of the masses, the dislocation of over 10 million people who had fled from their homes during the conflict, fragile banking and monetary system and inflation, which ran between 300 and 400 percent, and low foreign exchange resources. The war of independence had crippled the domestic transportation system with roads, railways and bridges lying destroyed and damaged. The young country was still recovering from a severe Bhola cyclone that had hit the area in November 1970 and caused nearly half a million deaths.
Mentioning Bangladesh’s economic development and progress, he said, “Bangladesh has made enormous strides in the last five decades from one of the poorest nations to having one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, with their GDP per Capita increasing to $2,457 in 2021 according to the World Bank which now exceeds that of its regional neighbors. Since its independence in 1971, Bangladesh's economy has grown from $9 billion to $450 billion, life expectancy has risen from 47 years to 73 years, and the adult literacy rate has risen to more than 75 percent. The Nation has flourished in its independence.”
Praising the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he said, “Bangladesh, through the leadership of current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has made substantial socioeconomic progress in food production, disaster resilience, poverty reduction, improved health, education, and women's empowerment. Bangladesh has successfully maintained a moderate Muslim society and curbed extremism in the country, and its people have sought to maintain support for democracy and rule of law rather than descending into authoritarian rule of gun.”
“The United States and Bangladesh have extensive cooperation on matters of regional and global security, counter terrorism, and climate change. The U.S. is the largest export market for Bangladesh and one of the largest sources of foreign direct investment in Bangladesh. The nation of Bangladesh has contributed to the U.S. economy through bilateral trade and international security cooperation in return. Bilateral trade between the United States and Bangladesh has increased annually with the main American exports to Bangladesh consisting of agricultural products, aircraft, machinery, engines, and iron and steel products, while American imports from Bangladesh include apparel, footwear, textile products, toys, games, sporting goods, shrimp, prawns; and agricultural products,” he added.
The US politician said," The American people appreciate the generous and indispensable role that Bangladesh performs in accepting and sheltering more than 1 million Rohingya people from a genocide perpetrated by its neighbor, Burma. The United States has contributed the largest amount of humanitarian aid to address this crisis, totaling more than $2 billion. The American people welcome that Bangladesh is one of the world's largest contributors to United Nations peacekeeping efforts globally. Both countries seek to enhance their people-to-people and government-to-government relationship for shared prosperity. Today, the American people recognize and commend the Nation and people of Bangladesh as they celebrate 51 years of independence. The United States extends its sincere determination to remain a constructive partner of Bangladesh in achieving mutual economic, social, and national security objectives now and into the future."
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
