The US Embassy in Dhaka has confirmed media reports that the leader of its diplomatic mission in Bangladesh, Ambassador Peter Haas, attended a dinner party hosted by pro-BNP businessman Syed Altaf Hossain at his home in Gulshan.
In a statement confirming the party, the embassy said that it was organized by the US company W&W Grains, and that its agricultural attaché was also present.
The embassy spokesman, Stephen Ebley, told the media that the US exported over $900 million worth of agricultural products to Bangladesh annually. He praised the importance of Bangladesh as an agro-partner and emphasized the US’s interest in ensuring a continuous supply of agricultural products such as wheat, soybeans, and cotton to Bangladesh. He said that this was in order to promote the prosperity and overall economic development of Bangladesh.
To achieve this goal, Bangladeshi representatives from agricultural businesses met with Ambassador Haas and the agricultural attaché. During the meeting, Ambassador Haas and the agricultural attaché discussed challenges such as credit issues and export expansion with the representatives.
Ambassador Haas also met with Bangladeshi political leaders at a dinner held in Dhaka before visiting Syed Altaf Hossain at his residence. Hossain is the Chairman of Pragati Life Insurance Company.
Members of the diplomatic corps were present at the dinner, including the Chief Political Counselor of the US Embassy, Shreyan C. Fitzgerald, and Yusuf M. Ashraf from the Singapore Embassy. Also present were the renowned neurology specialist, Md. Mahbubur Rahman Bhuiyan, and the land minister, Saifuzzaman Chowdhury.
Business leaders, including those from the BNP, were also present. They included BNP Vice Chairman Advocate Zainal Abedin, Barkatullah Bulu, Abdul Awal Mintu, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, a member of the party’s standing committee, Executive Committee member Barrister Mir Helal, Gazipur district BNP president Fazlul Haque Milan, and International Affairs Committee member Tabith Awal.
