Dr John Hamre, President and CEO of Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and the former US Deputy Secretary of Defence, has lauded the role of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for Bangladesh's various development activities, especially women empowerment.

Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Mohammad Ziauddin met the CSIS President on Thursday in Washington DC.

Ambassador Ziauddin and CSIS President Dr Hamre discussed, among others, development achievements of Bangladesh, education, women empowerment, counter-terrorism, human rights, trade and investment and regional cooperation, said a press release on Friday.

He briefed Dr Hamre about the excellent bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the USA, and informed him of mutual cooperation in
counter-terrorism and intelligence sharing.

In this connection, the envoy also informed that the government under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina vowed zero tolerance against any form of terrorism, and Bangladesh is working closely with its neighbours, including the United States, in this regard.

The Ambassador highlighted the immense contributions of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman towards achieving
Bangladesh's independence in 1971.

On the DFQF issue, Ziauddin told him that Bangladesh along with other Asian and Oceanic Least Developed Countries (LDCs), are deprived of Duty Free Quota Free (DFQF) access to the US market, although 34 African LDCs under AGOA are enjoying the facility.

The Ambassador urged the US authorities to give DFQF access to all the LDCs following the suit of European Union based on justice and
fair play.

Ziauddin also mentioned about different development priorities of the present government, including education and women empowerment.

He mentioned women's role in the garments industry, poverty alleviation, increasing literacy rate, discouraging child labour and curbing extremism.

CSIS President also showed his interest to visit Bangladesh in the future.

UNB/RI