BANGLADESH can become the next China with proper infrastructure developments, said Dan Mozena, US ambassador to Bangladesh.

“I was in Bangladesh a decade ago. I was here for three years — from 1998 to 2001.1 was the chief of the political and economic section,” said Mozena. “Now, two and a half months ago, I came back as an ambassador of my country to Bangladesh.”

“I see Bangladesh with the potential to be the next China. That's how I see Bangladesh. I am very excited about this country and the potential of this country to become a middle-income country.”

Mozena spoke to The Daily Star on the sidelines of a programme at Independent University Bangladesh in Chittagong on Tuesday.

“Some people say Bangladesh is a little country. No, it is a huge country and it can be a prosperous country,” he said.

“I am talking about Bangladesh as the world's largest exporter of readymade garments (RMG), the world's largest exporter of household textiles, a huge player in pharmaceutical production, information technology, animation, finished leather goods, ship building and I see it as an agricultural powerhouse,” said the US envoy.

He said the country not only produces enough rice; it has the means to acquire protein and vegetables for its people.

“I like a hundred and fifty five million things in Bangladesh and those are the people of Bangladesh. That is the magic of Bangladesh. When I presented my credentials to his Excellency President Zillur Rahman, I said to him Bangladesh is a huge country.”

“I said Mr President, how do you judge a country? How do measure a country? How do you assess a country? Do you count the acres, hectors? Do you count oil in the ground? Do you count cows? What do you count? I said I count people. Not the number of people, the character of the people,” Mozena said.

“The people are more energetic, more dynamic, more creative, and more resil-

ient in Bangladesh,” he said.

On the port city, Mozena said: "Chittagong is a glorious place. I made a joke last night (Monday) at a big event that sometimes people say we shall move the US embassy to Chittagong.”

Mozena said it is a wonderful city, in a beautiful location and it is critically an important city. “I said earlier that I have a vision of Bangladesh being the next China. But that cannot happen unless this port city has the capacity to bring imports and to take out exports at two times, three times, four times the current volume.”

"So Chittagong faces the challenges of creating infrastructure to help Bangladesh become the next China,” he said.

On the US-Bangladesh relationship, Mozena said America's partnership with Bangladesh has so many facets. "This partnership is strong and getting stronger.”

Over the next five years, the US will invest $1 billion in partnership as the US government is working to help Bangladesh improve the lives of its citizens, especially children, he said.

The US is committed to Bangladesh and the people of this nation, he said. "I come to Bangladesh to further broaden, deepen and strengthen this partnership, and I commit myself to do everything that I can to this end.”