Dhaka, Sep 15 (V7N) – Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has called for support from the United States to help rebuild Bangladesh, implement crucial reforms, and recover assets siphoned abroad.

The request was made during a meeting with a high-level US delegation at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka.

Prof Yunus outlined the challenges his interim government faces, emphasizing the need to "reset, reform, and restart" the economy while implementing reforms in key sectors such as finance, the judiciary, and law enforcement. He noted the administration’s swift actions in forming six commissions to prevent vote rigging and address issues within the judiciary, police, civil administration, and anti-corruption agencies. These initiatives, he said, were launched just weeks after his government took office.

"This is a critical time for us, marking a significant moment in our history," Prof Yunus remarked, referencing the student-led revolution that has brought renewed hope to Bangladesh. He also underscored the government's determination to recover stolen assets from individuals linked to the former autocratic regime, highlighting the pervasive corruption they inherited.

"We were in an ocean of corruption," he said, describing the obstacles his administration is facing in tackling graft.

The US delegation, led by Brent Nieman, Assistant Secretary of the US Treasury Department, commended Prof Yunus's leadership and expressed Washington's willingness to support his reform agenda. US officials indicated their eagerness to provide both technical and financial assistance to aid the ongoing reforms.

During the hour-long discussion, topics such as economic and financial reforms, investment opportunities, labor issues, the Rohingya crisis, and Prof Yunus's upcoming trip to New York for the UN General Assembly were also addressed.

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

Bangladesh's side was represented by Lutfey Siddiqi, Special Envoy of the Chief Adviser on 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.

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