Dhaka: US Ambassador in Dhaka Marcia Bernicat on Thursday said the government must work to reassure foreign investors that it is taking all appropriate measures to ensure the security of their factories and personnel in the wake of recent terror attacks in Bangladesh.

‘A safe and stable Bangladesh is crucial to attracting further investment and continuing economic growth to reach the middle-income status,’ she said.

Bernicat laid emphasis on clear, authoritative messaging from the government when attacks occur to reassure the public, and the government’s unambiguous and undivided attention on defeating this new form of terrorism.

‘Today is a reminder that Bangladesh is a resilient country and that the path forward for a secure future will include the mechanism this country has relied on successfully in past times of crisis—government, civil society, and the private sector all working together,’ said the US envoy.

Bernicat said she is pleased to see Public Administration Minister Syed Ashraful Islam’s comments that all parties will be included in the anti-militancy committees.

She was addressing a function at Beximco Pharmaceutical’s manufacturing plant in Tongi.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammed Nasim, Vice Chairman Salman Rahman, Managing Director Nazmul Hassan, and Chief Information Officer Rabbur Reza of Beximco were also present.

The United States remains Bangladesh’s largest trading partner and all must work together to continue growing two-way trade over the coming years, Bernicat said.

However, she said, the real winners of the growth in two-way trade between the United States and Bangladesh are consumers.

The average Bangladeshi citizen benefits when he or she can purchase American-grown wheat or flies in a US-made plane, Bernicat said.

‘And the US citizen is better off when he can wear a high-quality shirt made in Bangladesh or eat shrimp caught in Bangladesh. I am especially proud that US consumers will now be able to take a life-saving drug and see ‘Made in Bangladesh’ on the bottle.’

The US diplomat said she has visited several factories in Bangladesh but this visit was truly special because it heralds the future of Bangladesh’s economy and its exports.

‘Beximco Pharma’s manufacturing plant has state-of-the-art technologies, world-class equipment, and highly trained professionals,’ she said.

For Bangladesh to meet the goal of becoming a middle income country, it is crucial for the country to diversify its economy and move up the value-added chain, Bernicat said.

She said Bangladesh must continue to lay the groundwork for sectors like pharmaceuticals to thrive. ‘The protection of intellectual property, for example, is critical for the growth of a robust pharmaceutical industry.’