Dhaka: US ambassador in Dhaka Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat on Tuesday said her country will continue support to Bangladesh’s development as she paid a farewell call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

‘We’ll continue our support to Bangladesh’s uplift,’ PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim quoted the US ambassador as saying while briefing reporters after the meeting at Ganabhaban here this morning, reports the BSS.

The press secretary said both the premier and the US ambassador expressed satisfaction over the existing bilateral relations between the two countries.

He said the US envoy described Bangladesh’s young people as ‘extraordinary’ expressing her firm belief that they will carry forward the country’s development.

She also highly praised the prime minister’s hard work to develop the country.

Terming education as very important for all, the ambassador said it is a ‘great factor’ for development of any country.

Bernicat also appreciated mangoes and litchis that are produced in Bangladesh.

Highlighting her government’s tremendous successes in different sectors, the prime minister said her main motto is to develop the country and ensure welfare of the people.

Sheikh Hasina recalled that she visited every area of the country after her return from exile in 1981. ‘I visited every nook and corner of the country and saw the condition of the people of the country,’ she said.

From those experiences, Sheikh Hasina said, she planned how she will develop the country. ‘From that state, Bangladesh reached the present position,’ she commented.

Mentioning her government’s steps for the development of the agriculture sector, the prime minister said previously vegetables were not available beyond the season.

‘But we’re now getting vegetables round-the-year,’ she said, adding, ‘It’s the contributions of our research and agri-scientists.’

PM’s Principal Secretary Md Nojibur Rahman was present on the occasion.

Outgoing US Ambassador Marcia Bernicat on Tuesday expressed her optimism about the political process in Bangladesh as a dialogue between the government and the newly formed Jatiya Oikkofront led by Dr Kamal Hossain is set to take place on Thursday evening.

‘I am optimistic,’ she said while talking to reporters after her farewell meeting with Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali at the State Guest House Padma, reports the UNB.

She, however, said it is up to the people of Bangladesh to decide.

‘We the citizen in the democracy has every responsibility to demand our government to give us conditions to choose anyone to lead us,’ she said.

She also held a separate meeting with State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam.

Meanwhile, Bernicat will brief media at 2:30pm at the city’s EMK Centre.