US Ambassador in Dhaka Dan W Mozena on Saturday said the non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) have a critical role to play in building 'Sonar Bangla' and Asia's next economic power overcoming 'serious challenges' like corruption and political instability.
"You're (NRBs) key to unlocking this country's enormous potential. I firmly and deeply believe that you've a critical role to play in building Sonar Bangla and Asia's next economic power," he told a function in the city.
Mozena, however, said building Sonar Bangla will not be an easy task as there are some challenges like lack of infrastructural facilities, short supply of power and energy, lack of respect for workers rights to freely associate and organise and, non-enforcement of fire safety and building code standards.
He also mentioned challenges like corruption, poor rule of law and political instability as major challenges. "These are all serious challenges. Everyone is resolvable."
The US envoy said Bangladesh and the USA have initialed an Open Skies Air Transport Agreement last week formalising the liberalisation of bilateral aviation relationship. "This is another important step towards direct link between New York and Dhaka."
He said: "Bangladesh has the very best people on the planet and Bangladesh is not a poor country but a so rich one. I challenge you to tell me, who are the people more energetic, dynamic, more creative and generous and more resilient than the people of Bangladesh. That's my challenge to you."
Mozena said, he is trying hard to engage Bangladeshi American community as partners in development in unleashing potentials.
"I want to engage them as partners. I've travelled to Washington to New York then Los Angeles. And I'm headed next to Michigan, after that Texas. because I want to engage them as partners,' the envoy said.
Mozena also said, Bangladesh has the problem solving people and it needs a revolution in education for further development.
Centre for Non Resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) arranged the event, titled 'Recognition of NRBs and Supportive Organizations in Bangladesh', at Sonargaon Hotel with its chairperson M S Shekil Chowdhury in the chair.
Bangladesh Bank governor Dr Atiur Rahman spoke on the occasion as the chief guest while President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) President M Sabur Khan and Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited Managing Director M Abdul Mannan, Managing Director and CEO of Pubali Bank Ltd Helal Ahmed Chowdhury, MD and CEO of NCC Bank Nurul Amin and other managing directors of the private and state-owned banks took part in the discussion.
Speaking as the chief guest, Dr Atiur said NRBs have always been drivers of change, and all industrial sectors in Bangladesh are open for investment by NRBs.
"NRBs have always been very creative entrepreneurs. They can play a significant role in technology transfer in form of training for skill development and management efficiency. They can surely contribute towards developing our upcoming special economic zones," he added.