DHAKA – President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today urged the United States to simplify its visa processing procedures for Bangladeshi tourists and business people to facilitate people-to-people and business ties between the two countries. The President made the call when US ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christenen paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban this morning.

During the meeting, the US envoy congratulated the President on his assumption of office as the President of Bangladesh. Recalling the past US investment and cooperation in the country’s agricultural development, the President called for further US investment and cooperation in the country’s development sector.

He also referred to Chevron’s investment and important role in the development of the country’s energy sector and urged increased US investment in Bangladesh’s energy, information technology, infrastructure, and health and high-tech industries sectors. The President also sought US cooperation in ensuring the safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland.

Thanking the US ambassador, the President said, “The United States is one of the Bangladesh’s important development partners. The existing trade relations with the US are playing an important role in Bangladesh’s economic development.”

On international relations, the President said, “Bangladesh attaches the highest importance to the principles of independence, sovereignty, national interest, mutual respect and equality in its international relations.”

He expressed the hope that bilateral relations and trade agreements with the United States would be further expanded in the days to come through mutual respect while protecting common interests. Referring to the recent bilateral trade agreements with US, the President said, “This is an important development in expanding the trade relations between the two countries.”

“There is a scope to make the agreement more balanced and mutually beneficial, taking into consideration the economic realities and interests of both the countries,” he added.

The ambassador assured that the US would continue its cooperation with Bangladesh and stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation with ASEAN countries. He also reiterated his US’s interest in further deepening and diversifying relations with Bangladesh. Military secretary to the President and Press Secretary and senior officials were present during the meeting.

DHAKA: President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today pledged to discharge his constitutional responsibilities in a completely non-partisan manner for the welfare of the state. “I resigned from the party, parliament and the Cabinet before assuming the responsibility of the President. I am now completely a non-partisan person, and after assuming the responsibility of the President of my state, I will work in a completely non-partisan manner for the welfare of the state and the nation,” he said.

He made the remarks at the first Durbar of the President with the officers and employees of Bangabhaban at the Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban at 11:30 am. The President said that after assuming the responsibility as President, he would have no anger or affection towards anyone, and the interests of the country, state and people would be his prime objective.

At the event, he urged the officers and employees of Bangabhaban to discharge their respective responsibilities with dedication, sincerity and honesty. He stressed ensuring public trust, honesty, dedication, sincerity and responsibility under any circumstances. “We must have love, respect and loyalty towards the country and its people.”

The President also emphasized on maintaining confidentiality of the important activities related to national securities that took place in the Bangabhaban. He called for economy and responsibility in state expending and urged prevention of waste.

The President said government resources and other facilities are managed with the money of the country’s people. “Therefore, their proper, responsible, transparent and accountable use must be ensured,” he said. He urged the officers and employees to maintain discipline in their personal lives as well as regularly strive to build moral strength and good character while maintaining balance between family life and workspaces.

“We are a family here and we all work from the same place. We will have opportunities, and at that time we will talk to each other and try to resolve the problems,” he said. The President said he had spent a long period of his political life and during that time had participated in struggles alongside the people.

He paid deep respect to those who sacrificed their lives in the country’s Great War of Liberation in 1971 and the contribution on Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman during the Liberation War and nation building afterwards.

Later, he recalled BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia for her courageous leadership, sacrifices and contribution throughout her long political career. Highlighting the history and tradition of Bangabhaban, he expressed the hope that everyone would continue to work together in the future.