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US worried about GB

Dipu Moni says it is now running more efficiently

Diplomatic Correspondent
Foreign Minister Dipu Moni has asserted that the Grameen Bank has now been functioning legally and more efficiently than ever before.
She made the comment in response to concerns raised by US Deputy Secretary of State William J Burns about maintaining the effectiveness and integrity of the bank, said a release from the foreign ministry. The government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is committed to protecting the interests of millions of women borrowers of this Nobel Prize-winning institution, she told Burns during a meeting at the US State Department in Washington DC onWednesday.
At the hour-long meeting, the two leaders discussed issues of mutual interests including bilateral trade and investment and cooperation in energy and security sectors.
Burns welcomed the
strong partnership between the two countries such as Bangladesh's support for Afghanistan, and its pivotal role in promoting cooperation and connectivity within the South and Southeast Asian regions.
Dipu Moni noted that duty free and quota free market access to the USA for the Asian LDCs, including Bangladesh would significantly contribute to the expansion of their trading ties with the USA.
In response, the deputy secretary hoped that the Trade and Investment Framework Cooperation
Agreement (TICFA) would provide a framework to look into and duly address the high tariff issue.
Both the sides expressed optimism about resolving the remaining issues before striking the deal soon.
The two leaders agreed that experts from both the countries would assess the issue of Bangladesh's inclusion in the Millennium Challenge Account at the ensuing first ever Bangladesh-US Partnership Dialogue.
Regarding the trial of the killers of Bangabandhu and the presence of killer Rashed Chowdhury in the USA, the
foreign minister said the “land of freedom” should not be a safe haven for any killer.
She sought US cooperation for the repatriation of Rashed Chowdhury.
Secretary Burns assured the minister that they would review the issue seriously.
Dipu Moni went to the USA on Monday for a three-day visit. She was scheduled to depart Washington yesterday for China to attend the China International Fair for Investment and Trade in Fujian.
The cabinet on Monday approved the draft of Grameen BankAmendmentAct, 2012.
According to the proposed amendment, the bank's chairman in consultation with the board of directors will form a selection committee to prepare a three-member panel for appointing a managing director of the bank.
The board, with an approval from the Bangladesh Bank, will appoint the MD from the panel.
Protesting the move, Nobel laureate and founder of the bank Prof Muhammad Yunus said the amendment will enable the government to influence the institution directly or indirectly.