DHAKA – The United States has committed to supporting Bangladesh’s economic growth and development with an additional $202 million in aid, announced during a visit by a U.S. delegation led by Deputy Under Secretary of the Treasury Department Brent Neiman on September 14.
This delegation, the first U.S. visit since the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took office, follows significant political upheaval in Bangladesh. The interim government came to power after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted amidst violent protests.
In a recent televised address, Yunus outlined the government’s urgent need for $5 billion in aid to stabilize the economy, which has been struggling due to the sharp increase in fuel and food import costs caused by the Ukraine war. Last year, Bangladesh also sought a $4.7 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The $202 million grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will support initiatives in governance, social and economic opportunities, and resilience. This follows a previous 2021 agreement where USAID pledged $954 million to Bangladesh from 2021 to 2026, with $425 million already disbursed.
The U.S. embassy in Dhaka emphasized its readiness to assist Bangladesh in achieving a more “equitable and inclusive future.” Yunus has requested U.S. support for various reforms, including those in the judiciary, police, and financial institutions, as well as efforts to recover assets stolen by the previous administration.
The delegation also discussed economic reforms, investment opportunities, labor issues, and the ongoing Rohingya crisis. The U.S. has expressed its willingness to support these reform efforts with both technical and financial assistance.
Key members of the interim government, including Foreign Affairs Adviser Mohammad Touhid Hossain, Finance and Commerce Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed, and Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan Mansur, met with the U.S. visitors.
Assistant Secretary for South Asia Donald Lu, who joined the delegation after visiting India, underscored the U.S. commitment to expanding economic opportunities, building institutional capacity, upholding human rights, and addressing climate risks in Bangladesh.