Exploring ways to produce US vaccine in Bangladesh: US ambassador

The ambassador of the United States in Bangladesh, Earl R Miller, has said that his country is exploring the possibilities to produce US vaccines in Bangladeshi pharmaceutical companies.

While paying a courtesy call on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Monday, the ambassador also recommended Bangladesh to have a regional approach in South Asia to distribute the US vaccines, the foreign ministry said in a press release.

During the meeting, they exchanged views on a number of global and bilateral issues, including the launching of the annual Joint Response Plan (JRP) for the humanitarian operations for displaced Rohingyas, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the COVID situation and vaccine issue etc.

The US ambassador informed that his country would again be the largest contributor in the JRP for Rohingyas, which will be virtually launched tomorrow and will be co-chaired by State Minister Shariar Alam.

Besides, the US would continue its support to Bangladesh in bearing the burden of the displaced population, he reaffirmed.

The state minister emphasized that sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas remains as the priority of Bangladesh, and also emphasized on receiving international support for the displaced Rohingyas relocated to Bhashan Char.

Shahriar Alam expressed Bangladesh's deep concern about the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict and reiterated Bangladesh's position that the UN Security Council needs to take up the issue, as stated by Bangladesh Foreign Minister in OIC Executive Committee meeting recently.

He urged the US to take proactive role for stopping the bloodshed immediately and reiterated Bangladesh's support for the two-state solution.

Citing that a large number of students are facing difficulties in having US visa, the state minister urged the ambassador to provide timely visa interview slots to Bangladeshi students intending to go to the US for studies. In response, the US ambassador assured that they are working on resolving the backlog created by the lockdown situation.

The State Minister also observed that the recently published report by the US government on religious freedom in Bangladesh did not well reflect the ground scenario, as the government is making its best efforts to ensure communal harmony and non-discrimination in the country.

Recalling that the present government has introduced the Vested Property Return (Amendment) Act in 2011 under difficult situation, he emphasized on the Government's sincerity to resolve the issue.

He also underscored that the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Treaty in 1997 was also signed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Government, and the implementation of the Treaty is being held gradually. He opined that the examples in the report are discrete incidents and action has been taken by the Government against the perpetrators.

The duo also discussed on ongoing cooperation between two countries in combating COVID-19 pandemic, including the issue of providing vaccine for meeting Bangladesh's immediate needs.