US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller has expressed the hope over reopening Dhaka-New York direct flights bringing more opportunities for both the countries with more exchanges on all fronts.
The US envoy, while addressing a reception at the American Club on Friday night, said he is working with Bangladesh government to reopen the Dhaka-New York direct flight, reports UNB.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines used to operate flights on Dhaka-New York route till 2006.
Centre for NRB Foundation with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the reception in honour of New York State senators.
Director General (Americas) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ferdousi Shahriar, founder and president of Centre for NRB Foundation M E Chowdhury Shameem and its CEO Dilara Afroz Khan Rupa also spoke on the occasion.
The US Ambassador laid emphasis on more educational and cultural exchanges between the two countries to keep up the momentum of the Bangladesh-US bilateral relations. “Let’s take some Bangladeshi parliamentarians to New York as well.”
Five State Senators from the New York City, led by Senator Luis Sepulveda, began their weeklong “familiarisation tour” here on October 20 and saw for themselves the “remarkable development” taking place in the country.
These Senators provide “big support and cooperation” to the Bangladeshi diasporas in New York in various matters and various ways.
Four other State Senators are Leroy Comrie, James Skoufis, Kevin S Parker and John C Liu.
They held meetings with high-level dignitaries here as well as visited Sylhet and Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar.
“After going back to New York, we’ll encourage our state and federal representatives to make sure to open up channels so this country (Bangladesh) and our State (New York) get benefit from business and relationship,” said Senator Luis.
The Senator who got second largest community from Bangladeshi origins at his constituency in the Bronx of New York said the Dhaka-New York direct flight needs to be reopened for making the business opportunity maximum between the two countries.
Senator Luis also said they would meet vice chancellors of the City University of New York (CUNY) and the State University of New York (SUNY) after going back to establish educational exchange programmes with Bangladeshi universities.
He hoped that next year or two years from now they will bring 10 legislators from New York here.
The Senators appreciated the people and the government of Bangladesh for providing humanitarian support and shelter to over 1.1 million Rohingyas.
