Chief Adviser Seeks US Support for Bangladesh’s Rebuilding Efforts

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today called for support from the United States to help rebuild Bangladesh, implement essential reforms, and recover assets stolen by corrupt officials.

During a meeting with a high-level US delegation at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka, Prof Yunus highlighted the challenges faced by the interim government. He explained that his administration has taken swift action to "reset, reform, and restart" the economy, initiate financial sector reforms, and strengthen key institutions such as the judiciary and police.

"This is a critical moment for us, a significant point in our history," Prof Yunus said, referencing the student-led revolution that has brought renewed hope to Bangladesh.

The 2006 Nobel Peace Prize laureate outlined the reform initiatives his government has launched, including the establishment of six commissions shortly after taking office. These commissions aim to combat vote rigging, reform the judiciary, police, and civil administration, and strengthen the country's anti-corruption agency. Additionally, constitutional amendments are being pursued to ensure long-term governance improvements.

Prof Yunus stressed his administration's commitment to recovering assets that had been illicitly transferred abroad by corrupt individuals linked to the former autocratic regime. "We were drowning in a sea of corruption," he said, describing the scale of graft his government is determined to address.

The US delegation, led by Brent Neiman, Assistant Secretary of the US Treasury Department, commended Prof Yunus's leadership. They expressed Washington’s willingness to support his ambitious reform agenda, offering both technical and financial assistance.

During the hour-long discussions, topics such as financial and economic reforms, investment opportunities, labour issues, the Rohingya crisis, and Prof Yunus's upcoming visit to New York for the UN General Assembly were covered.

The US delegation included Donald Lu, Assistant Secretary of State; Brendan Lynch, Assistant US Trade Representative; Anjali Kaur, Deputy Assistant Administrator; and Jerrod Mason, Director of the US Treasury Department.

From the Bangladeshi side, attendees included Lutfey Siddiqi, the Chief Adviser’s special envoy for international affairs; Lamiya Morshed, senior secretary and head of SDG affairs; Md. Jashim Uddin, Foreign Secretary; and Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary of the Economic Relations Division.