US-Bangladesh Advisory Council

Founded in 2011, the US-Bangladesh Advisory Council is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to strengthening the relationship between the United States and Bangladesh. Over the past decade, USBAC has been actively promoting economic development in Bangladesh by implementing public policies.

Mission

• Enhance the social, economic, and political ties between the United States and Bangladesh and strengthen collaboration between the people of the two countries;
• Collaborate with the U.S., Bangladesh, and international organizations, including non-governmental entities and the private sector, to develop and implement public policies that foster social and economic growth in Bangladesh.
• Provide critical analysis, research, and insights to policymakers in the United States and Bangladesh to help them make informed decisions.
• Facilitate the participation of Bangladeshi residents in the United States in various social, political, and economic institutions.
• Bring the voices of the US-based Bangladeshi diaspora to bear on policy issues that impact Bangladesh.

Policy Priorities:

The US-Bangladesh Advisory Council seeks to focus on the following policy areas:

Help Bangladeshis Earn Their Livelihoods from Trade

• Bangladesh’s annual exports to the U.S. amount to $3.4 billion, generating substantial economic impact and supporting millions of jobs, particularly for women. However, this trade is burdened by $590 million in annual U.S. tariffs on these exports. Removing these tariffs could have a profound positive effect, potentially creating millions more jobs, particularly for women, in Bangladesh.

Address the Impact of Climate Change in Bangladesh

• Bangladesh, a nation at the forefront of climate change impacts, is grappling with rising sea levels that threaten to displace millions of people. In light of this global crisis, it is imperative that industrialized countries, the primary contributors to carbon emissions, take decisive action to reduce their emissions and provide substantial financial support to vulnerable nations like Bangladesh. Adaptation funding is crucial in enabling Bangladesh to implement innovative projects, such as agricultural advancements, to sustain food production in saline environments.

Help Bangladesh Benefit from U.S. Foreign Assistance

• Bangladesh still requires aid for economic development and health, even though its dependency has decreased. However, there are challenges, such as budget constraints in the United States and projected remittance drops. Ensuring aid sustainability, including continued support for development projects and transparent use of funds, is also important.

Promote Decent Work Opportunities for Bangladeshis in a Globalized World

• Decent work promotes freedom, equity, security, and human dignity, reducing poverty and supporting sustainable development. Bangladesh plays a significant role in implementing domestic and international policy reforms to promote decent work. In addition, the United States actively safeguards the rights of Bangladeshi workers within and in other nations. Furthermore, the U.S. actively supports decent work opportunities through trade and aid policies.

Promote the Rule of Law in Bangladesh

• Bangladesh has faced challenges establishing a robust rule of law, hindering economic development, social progress, and democratic consolidation. To address these challenges, the United States can play a crucial role in promoting good governance, upholding human rights, civil liberties, and economic rights, particularly for marginalized communities. By leveraging its economic, trade, and foreign policy influence, the U.S. can encourage Bangladesh to take significant steps toward strengthening its rule of law.

Team:

Founder and Chairman: Shabbir Ahmed Chowdhury
Executive Director: Shamarukh Mohiuddin