Bangladesh signs deal with US to import 700,000 tonnes of wheat annually ahead of tariff talks
DHAKA: Bangladesh and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Sunday to import 700,000 tonnes of high-quality wheat annually from the US at competitive prices over the next five years.
The deal was concluded ahead of the third round of tariff talks, scheduled for the last week of July, between Bangladesh and the United States. The second round of talks ended without agreement after the US imposed conditions to increase certain security cooperation before signing a non-disclosure tariff deal.
The US has already announced that it will continue joint military exercises with Bangladesh.
The MoU was signed by Md Abul Hasanat Humayun Kabir, Director-General of the Food Department, on behalf of the Government of Bangladesh, and Joseph K Sower, Vice President of the US Wheat Association, on behalf of the United States, in the presence of Bangladesh’s Food Adviser, Ali Imam Majumdar.
Ali Imam Majumdar said the MoU ‘will create opportunities to build trust and expand areas of mutual trade cooperation between Bangladesh and the United States, benefiting the people of both countries. ’
The interim government said in a statement: ‘This MoU was signed between Bangladesh and the United States to ensure overall food security, nutritional quality and food supply for the country’.
On the same day, the US announced that it would continue joint military exercises with Bangladesh.
In a statement, the US Embassy in Dhaka said, ‘The Armed Forces of Bangladesh and the US military will continue their longstanding partnership this summer through three joint exercises and the delivery of a new capability that will reinforce our common security interests. These efforts help to make the United States and Bangladesh stronger, and the region safer.’
‘For the fourth year in a row, the Bangladesh Army and US Army Pacific will conduct Exercise Tiger Lightning. Through realistic training, our soldiers will develop readiness for counter-terrorism, peacekeeping, jungle operations, medical evacuations and countering improvised explosive devices (IEDs),’ it added.
‘Tiger Shark (part of the Flash Bengal series) is a joint training exercise in which our two countries’ Special Forces practise combat tasks. The exercise, ongoing since 2009, will feature patrol boat handling and small-arms marksmanship that will strengthen Bangladesh’s Special Warfare Diving and Salvage unit and the Para Commando Brigade’s ability to respond to crises. One of the highlights of this combined exercise is the use of US equipment by both countries,’ the statement said.
‘Exercise Pacific Angel will be held for the fourth time with Bangladesh. It will highlight one of the hallmarks of our defence relationship, our C-130 fleets, which are critical in disaster-response airdrops and air-mobility operations. The exercise also focuses on search and rescue and aeromedical operations, further developing Bangladesh’s ability to respond to humanitarian disasters,’ the statement said.
‘RQ-21 Programme Launch: The United States is working with Bangladesh’s Army and Navy to develop an unmanned aerial system capability for Bangladesh. A Bangladesh regiment, comprising Army and Navy personnel, will operate the new RQ-21 Blackjack system. This joint effort will enable Bangladesh to monitor its maritime domain, secure its borders and conduct peacekeeping missions,’ the statement added.
On July 11, the three-day second round of tariff talks between Bangladesh and the United States ended without conclusion.
Two days before the July 9 deadline, US President Donald Trump issued a letter to Bangladesh imposing a 35 per cent tariff. According to the letter, the tariff will take effect on August 1.
By RSS/ANI
