The Bangladesh government is interested in utilizing US experience and technological expertise in water management, waste management, renewable energy and agricultural cold storage, Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr. Abdul Moin Khan has said.

The minister made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen at his office on Monday (August 24) morning.

The meeting discussed ways to further strengthen and expand mutual cooperation between Bangladesh and the United States, as well as potential areas of partnership in local government and development.

State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam was also present at the meeting.

Dr. Moin Khan said Bangladesh could make its development initiatives more effective and sustainable through experience-sharing and joint cooperation programmes with the United States in areas such as water management, waste management, renewable energy and agricultural cold storage.

“We are a government of the people. We believe in empowering the people,” he said.

The minister said the government is placing special emphasis on economic prosperity and has taken various initiatives to make local government institutions stronger and more effective.

He also identified effective waste management as one of the government’s key priorities for improving urban management and protecting the environment.

At the beginning of the meeting, Ambassador Brent T. Christensen congratulated the minister on assuming his new responsibilities and highlighted the importance of the Local Government Ministry’s work for the people of Bangladesh. He also expressed the US interest in continuing cooperation in the sector.

State Minister Mir Shahe Alam said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is also prioritizing waste management and stressed the importance of increasing international cooperation in this area.

Both sides expressed optimism that the longstanding friendly relations between Bangladesh and the United States could open new avenues for cooperation in the local government sector and make bilateral collaboration deeper and more productive in the future.

Local Government Division Secretary Md. Shahidul Hasan, Rural Development and Cooperatives Division Secretary Rafiqul E Mohamed and senior ministry officials were also present.