The US has announced to give aid of Rs 1700 crore to Bangladesh. For this help, Additional Secretary of Bangladesh Finance Ministry A.K.M Shahabuddin and Director of American International Development Agency (USAID) Reed J. Ashliman signed the agreement in Dhaka. During this, the 6th amendment was made in the “Development Objective Grant Agreement (DOAG)” between Bangladesh and America. According to the Bangladeshi Finance Ministry, this help will be used to improve the welfare of youth, health services and increase business opportunities. Information about USAID’s Bangladesh Mission Agreement was posted on X. DOAG Agreement was signed in 2021
DOAG was signed between Bangladesh and America on 27 September 2021. Under this agreement, America will give a total of 8 thousand crores to Bangladesh from 2021 to 2026. So far America has given Rs 3565 crore to Bangladesh. USAID gives this money with the help of the US Department of Agriculture, government and non-government organizations. According to USAID, its purpose is to promote good governance, social development and economic opportunities. Bangladesh Chief Advisor meets US delegation
Today (September 15), a high-level delegation from America arrived on a visit to Bangladesh. Donald Lu, Assistant Secretary of State for the South and Middle Asia Bureau of the US State Department, was also a part of this delegation. On Sunday, Chief Advisor of the interim government of Bangladesh Mohammad Yunus held a meeting with this delegation in Dhaka. During the meeting, Yunus sought help from the US to bring the situation of Bangladesh back on track, to reform the country and to return the stolen assets. Yunus also put forward the challenges faced by the interim government in front of the US delegation. He also enumerated the work being done by the interim government. Lu accused of coup in Pakistan-Bangladesh
Donald Lu’s name is associated with coups in South Asian countries. His name also came up after the fall of Imran Khan’s government in Pakistan. Imran Khan had openly named him and held him responsible. Earlier this year, Lu had testified in the US Parliament and denied the allegation of toppling the government in Pakistan. Last month, when Sheikh Hasina was removed from power in Bangladesh, Donald Lu’s name had also come up. However, the US had clearly denied this as well. Debt-ridden Bangladesh is unable to pay interest. Bangladesh, which is facing a political crisis, is also facing an economic crisis. Russia has written a letter to debt-ridden Bangladesh on August 21 asking it to pay interest of about Rs 5,300 crore. Russian officials had given a deadline of September 15 to pay the interest. Russia has given Bangladesh a loan of Rs 1.06 lakh crore for a nuclear power plant. It is charging interest at the rate of 4% on this. If the interest is not paid by the deadline, Russia will charge interest from Bangladesh at the rate of 6.4%. Apart from Russia, Adani Group has also demanded about Rs 6,700 crore from Bangladesh for its outstanding electricity bill. After the coup of Sheikh Hasina, the responsibility of paying this money has fallen on the interim government.
