ZCZC
BSS-42
BANGLADESH-US-VACCINE
US for producing its COVID-19 vaccines in Bangladesh: Miller
DHAKA, May 17, 2021 (BSS) – The US Ambassador Earl Miller today
said his government is exploring the possibilities to produce US
COVID-19 vaccines in Bangladeshi pharmaceutical companies.
The envoy also said the US administration is working on the issue
of providing COVID vaccine for meeting Bangladesh’s immediate needs.
He made the remarks while holding a meeting with State Minister Md
Shahriar Alam in the foreign ministry today.
The US Ambassador also recommended having a regional approach in
South Asia in distributing vaccines from the US.
Apart from the issue of cooperation between two countries in
combating COVID-19 pandemic, during the meeting they also exchanged
views on number of global and bilateral matters including the
launching of the annual Joint Response Plan (JRP) for the humanitarian
operations for displaced Rohingyas and the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict.
The US Ambassador informed that the US would again be the largest
contributor to the JRP for Rohingyas, which will be virtually launched
tomorrow and will be attended by the state minister.
He also stated that the US would continue its support to Bangladesh
in bearing the burden of the displaced population.
Alam 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.
The State Minister 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. He also reiterated Bangladesh’s support for the two-state
solution.
Alam urged for providing timely visa interview slots for
Bangladeshi students intending to go to the US for studies, observing
that a large number of students are facing difficulties.
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 said 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.
Alam observed that the examples in the report are discrete
incidents and action has been taken by the government against the
perpetrators.
BSS/PR/TA/MRU/2101hrs