Ambassador Mr.Akramul Qader presented his Credentials to U. S. President Mr. Barack H. Obama

Washington DC - 4 Nov (VoBD) - Ambassador of Bangladesh to the United States, Akramul Qader presented his Credentials today to the President of the United States of America, Barack H. Obama at the Oval office of the White House. Ambassador Akramul Qader while conveying greetings from the President and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to President Obama, underlined the commitment to individual liberty and the cherished values of democracy, rule of law, respect for diversity and pluralism, shared by Bangladesh and the United States. Ambassador Qader reiterated the desire of the Government of Bangladesh to further strengthen the multi-faceted bilateral relations between the two countries that have witnessed a remarkable transformation since the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh.

Ambassador Qader also reiterated Bangladesh's requests for granting duty free and quota free access to Bangladeshi garment products in the USA and highlighted Bangladesh's vulnerability to challenges of Climate change. President Obama welcomed, once again, the free, fair, and transparent elections in December 2008 in Bangladesh and assured all possible assistance to help Bangladesh "to extend its democratic roots". President Obama also stated that Bangladesh-US relations exemplify the vision of a partnership in protecting our people "from terrorist threat and from those who might wish to destabilize democracy". US President assured continued assistance for Bangladesh's development works particularly in the field of education, health services and disaster management.

Recalling his recent meeting with our Prime Minster Sheikh Hasina in New York during United Nations' General Assembly, President Obama described her as a pragmatic wise leader. President Obama also recalled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's invitation and assured that he was looking forward to visit Bangladesh. President Obama warmly welcomed the Ambassador to Washington DC and said that Bangladesh, by virtue of her firm believes in democracy, remains a natural partner of United States. He highlighted the broad range of strategic interests and fundamental democratic values shared by the two countries. Referring to his Cairo speech, President Obama reiterated his desire to see a Muslim majority Bangladesh where economy is "robust", educational opportunities are in "abundance" and international investments are in "plenty".

Earlier Ambassador Qader was greeted with a guard of honour from a smart contingent of US Marines on arrival at the entrance of White House. Chief of Protocol Ambassador Ms. Capricia Penavic Marshall then escorted Ambassador Qader and Mrs. Rifat Qader to the Oval office for the ceremony.