[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 136 (Tuesday, August 16, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E856-E857]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CONGRESSIONAL BANGLADESH CAUCUS INAUGURATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 16, 2022

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, it is with great 
pleasure that I join with my colleagues, Congressmen Gerry Connolly, 
Dwight Evans, and Steve Chabot as a Co-Chair of the Congressional 
Bangladesh Caucus.
  We look forward to strengthening the United States-Bangladesh 
Relationship on the basis of our shared democratic values to address 
major issues, including climate change, human rights, and humanitarian 
challenges. The People of Bangladesh are well represented by the 
Bangladeshi Ambassador M Shahidul Islam.
  The Caucus was established, in part, to commemorate the 50th 
Anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and 
Bangladesh, which began in 1972, soon after Bangladesh secured its 
independence from Pakistan. The United States has been a longstanding 
partner in Bangladesh's journey to economic development and democratic 
institution building since that time.
  During the last 50 years, Bangladesh has made significant socio-
economic progress, including increased food production, disaster 
management capacity building, poverty alleviation, improved health and 
education, and women's empowerment. For more than a decade, Bangladesh 
has remained one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, and its 
economic growth is not only benefiting its own people, but is also 
contributing to the peace, progress, and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific 
Region.
  Significantly, no other country in the world commits more forces to 
United Nations Peacekeeping.
  Bangladesh has a population of over 170 million, with a per capita 
income higher than

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its neighbors in South Asia. The United States is one of Bangladesh's 
most important trading partners, with approximately 19-20 percent of 
its exports destined for the United States. Also, bilateral trade 
between the United States and Bangladesh was over $10 billion (U.S.) in 
2021.
  According to the United States Census Bureau, there are over 200,000 
people of Bangladeshi Origin living in America. Promoting educational 
exchanges between Bangladesh and the United States benefits both 
nations, and with approximately 10,000 students from Bangladesh 
studying in the United States, the country places eighth in the World 
in this category.
  The Congressional Bangladesh Caucus will promote continued good 
relations between the United States and Bangladesh. Caucus Members will 
receive periodic updates on our bilateral relationship, joint efforts 
to combat terrorism and promote human rights, as well as opportunities 
for high-level visits between the two countries, including with 
Ambassador M Shahidul Islam as we work to strengthen our relationship.

                          ____________________