US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller wrapped up his three-day visit to Barishal on Thursday to promote economic, cultural, and people to people ties between the United States and Bangladesh.
Ambassador Miller congratulated the Divisional Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Barishal district on commercial development in the region and expressed the desire of his country to continue supporting these efforts as a key development partner of Bangladesh.
They discussed US-Bangladeshi partnership addressing climate change and resilience, and natural disaster preparedness. Ambassador Miller visited Bangladesh Betar's Barishal regional office and met station management, journalists, and local folk artists.
In a radio interview, he emphasized the important cultural, economic, educational, and people to people ties between the United States and Bangladesh. He appreciates Bangladesh Betar's important programming about health and family planning, agriculture, disaster preparedness, women empowerment and child development, sports, art, and Barishal's unique cultural heritage.
He recognized journalists and the important role free press plays in a successful democracy. Earl R Miller also visited several historical places of Barishal, such as Mia Bari Mosque, Oxford Mission Church, and Shanker Moth Temple. Throughout his visit he spoke of the importance of religious freedom and communal harmony and highlighted the United States' second Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom being held in Washington, DC July 16-18.
He visited several local schools and madrasas and encouraged students to consider joining the 7,500 Bangladeshi students studying and succeeding at universities in the United States.
---Masuk Kamal, Barishal