USA: Can Bangladesh benefit?

Relations between Bangladesh and the United States are taking another step forward with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed's visit to the White House on October 17th.

Washington is looking for closer military cooperation and access for its companies to Bangladesh's natural resources. So what should Dhaka get in return?

Or should Bangladesh be pursuing closer economic ties with its neighbours, rather than looking towards the United States and the West for investment and aid? Tell us what you think.

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your emails below.

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Bangladesh should be aware that in making friendship with the US they may make enemies in the neighbourhood. China and India will not accept US military base in Bangladesh. Make friendship for economic reasons but not militarily. It will only benefit US and the only country to bear the consequences is Bangladesh.
Sid, UK

Sheikh Hasina's visit to the United States will surely be beneficial for the Government of Bangladesh, especially prior to the upcoming election! Will she be interested in having same kind of relationship as India is seeking with the United States, is yet to be seen.
With lot of changes, in the World today, it will be very interesting to see what directions our Prime Minister Hasina will take us. I think she should take more care about the law and order situation in our country and alleviate poverty.
Tanbir Morshed, Canada

Bangladesh needs better education for its people and a lot more aid to develop before reaching any trade benefits

Vishal, USA

No, trade between Bangladesh and the US would do nothing for Bangladesh. They have few resources to sell because most have to be used for the large population in the country. Plus Bangladesh needs better education for its people and a lot more aid to develop before reaching any trade benefits.
Vishal, USA

Bangladesh should consider improving relationship with its neighbouring countries instead of United States. It should also learn the lessons Iraq is facing today before approaching the hypocrite US and the west.
Lwin Aung, Canada

Bangladesh should have strong economic ties with all the countries including India and USA. She also should be alert to protect her own interests first. Bangladesh has good prospect in the IT area in the USA. Sell gas only after very careful evaluation. Government should improve law and order situation including punishing all killers to attract foreign investments.
RK, USA

US can definitely play a big role here in terms of technical help

Shafqat, USA

I think the visit could be very beneficial for Bangladesh. USA is the biggest trading partner and can be Bangladesh's true development partner also. But Hasina needs to focus on business issues and not waste time on extradition treaty and PhD degrees during her visit, which are nothing but wastage of taxpayer money.
Also the government has to improve the law and order back home and reduce corruption to expect significant foreign investment.
Finally, I hope the Prime Minister will seek co-operation in the IT sector also. Bangladesh has a huge educated youth population which can be a powerful force in turning the country around. US can definitely play a big role here in terms of technical help and greater access of Bangladeshi workers and software in its markets.
Shafqat, USA

Bangladesh should definitely improve economic ties with US. Like anyone, US also wants something in return. If US wants resource, let them take it but Bangladeshi should make sure, that they have enough for them.
No one likes US even myself but US is one of the first countries to help Bangladesh instead of India. I respect India for helping us during the WAR. But it is also killing Bangladeshi. Think about it, if US goes there, then computer industry will increase, defence will get stronger, Entertainment industry will also get boost up. I personally would choose to tie up with rich country then poor one.
Faisal Khan, Canada

Until Bangladesh gets rid of its present political system, the question of its alignment east or west is irrelevant. Except for ruling and opposition party members who will have to consider whether property in Mumbai or New York represents a better investment!
Shammi Huda, UK

The present show of relationship between USA and Bangladesh is all about the energy sector

Shahed Alam, USA/Bangladesh

The present show of relationship between USA and Bangladesh is all about the energy sector. And Bangladesh's stand should be no export of raw materials including natural gas. Natural gas can be value added by producing electricity or fertiliser and then can be exported if seems profitable.
One thing people of Bangladesh have to understand, exporting gas to India is easiest and shortest path to profit for the Oil Giants. But if people of Bangladesh does not allow that then 'The Alternate Route' will be taken. And that is help industrialise the country. Which means that the huge amount of Gas can be used locally and profitably.
Shahed Alam, USA/Bangladesh

Market interests have made the US so eager to enter into business deals with Bangladesh, which remained a basket case in South Asia not long ago. But Bangladesh too could benefit in the long run if the leaders of this South Asian country are shrewd enough. I would think US involvement in Bangladesh will add significance to Bangladesh's ties with its neighbours.
Chhabi Samsleshi, Nepal

Bangladesh should be very careful in making a relationship with USA

Deshi, Bangladesh

USA has overwhelming strength over Bangladesh. Being an unequal counterpart Bangladesh may gain very little and have a chance to lose a lot. Because the USA diplomacy has sophistication to pursue everything what they want from Bangladesh. On the other hand Bangladesh has no such means to counter them. Therefore Bangladesh should be very careful in making a relationship with USA.
Deshi, Bangladesh

This is Bangladesh's great chance to move itself into the middle income countries

Quamrul, Bangladesh

With inviting overtures from the USA, Bangladesh should seize this great opportunity to build deep economic, energy and defence relationships with the USA. This can allow Bangladesh to high growth in software export, high technology and new income from energy sector.
This is Bangladesh's great chance to move itself into the middle income countries with the help of relationship with USA. As a Bangladeshi, I feel it is a chance our political leadership must take!
Quamrul, Bangladesh

When we have a mini-USA next to our door which is India and who has everything nowadays in terms of science and technology and when we have huge unused manpower, why we do need to look at the West?
Jahangir Alam, UAE

According to some analysts, Bangladesh is literally "sitting on oil"

Ashish Kumar, India/USA

It seems that most people are not aware of the exact reasons for this new found bonhomie between USA and Bangladesh. The US President was also in Bangladesh for one important day during his South Asia visit. Till recently, Bangladesh was written off as an impoverished country always prone to natural calamities with no worthwhile potential to change things around. Things have changed lately with discovery of vast natural gas reserves in the last decade. According to some analysts, Bangladesh is literally "sitting on oil". It can look towards its future with much greater confidence.
Ashish Kumar, India/USA

What good will this visit be for Bangladesh if there is no security of life? The law and order situation in Bangladesh has completely broken down in such a way that nobody can feel safe in the country any more. All the young capable people are trying hard to leave Bangladesh. In such a situation which investor will invest in Bangladesh, I wonder!
Gargi, Germany

If Bangladesh believes in consumerism and her goal is to achieve material benefits then they should go ahead and ask for help from the US. On the other hand if she is looking for spiritual goal then she should look within and not towards the US. USA may be materially rich but there is peace and happiness in the American souls (while they are still in America).
Mandhoj Tamang, Canada

Bangladesh has tremendous opportunity to attract US investment in the IT industry

Monjur Chowdhury, USA

Bangladesh has tremendous opportunity to attract US investment in the IT industry. Companies from USA can use the large number of English educated youth force for data-processing and software development task. Remember Bangladesh do have entrepreneurs who have proved their management skill in the garments industry.
Bangladeshi Govt. should be careful in formulating the Energy policy to protect its natural resource and should have free flowing discussion within the country to come to a conclusion about the best way to use its gas reserve.
Monjur Chowdhury, USA

The country has a lot to gain in the economic sense

Bipasha, USA

Bangladesh is following the lead of India in trying to strengthen its ties with the United States. The country has a lot to gain in the economic sense. US investments will pump the failing economy with jobs that will probably generate more income than local ones. The US is probably looking for what Bangladesh has the most to offer in terms of "natural resources", i.e. cheap labour.
Bipasha, USA

USA is currently the strongest economy in the world so being friendly with the US can have its rewards. But Bangladesh should also be alert. The US administration orally promises much but delivers little and Bangladesh must always keep that in mind. Personally I feel that the country should put its relations with its neighbours as the top priority. Afterall the neighbourhood is 1.2 billion strong and hence is an immense market place. India and others if given freer access can pull Bangladesh up the economic ladder. Bangladesh's neighbourhood will be more sympathetic towards its cause than any nation in the world. Nevertheless it would benefit to get some extra dollars from the US, if Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina can manage to get some.
Ranjan Roy, India

The entire South Asian region has a lot to gain from US and indeed Western investments. What the country can do is lay its position clear and let negotiations go forward with that back ground. Surely Bangladesh will have enough opportunities to offer foreign investors that does not undermine the integrity of our nation.
Riaz Osmani, USA/ Bangladesh

With some decent leadership Bangladesh could have gone many steps further towards self-reliance

Peter Zaman, UK

With some decent leadership Bangladesh could have gone many steps further towards self-reliance and would be able to reduce its global trade deficit. Whether it be the US or India, all foreign governments will seek their own benefits out of Bangladesh and due to the weakness of its leadership, the country would always return the loser in any deal. Perhaps the Government would benefit on a personal level but in the long term, scrutiny of the small print of any deal will show Bangladesh giving away more than it is gaining.
Peter Zaman, UK

Bangladesh should be pursuing closer economic ties with its neighbours, rather than looking towards the United States and the West for investment and aid.
Mustafiz, USA

Sheikh Hasina's government is corrupt and politically bankrupt. She has visited the United States numerous times and has very little to show for it. In the very near future, the Bangladeshi garment industry, the backbone of the country's economy will collapse as it becomes non-competitive with countries that have successfully lobbied for tariff-free access to US markets. All Hasina has to show for her visits to the US is a collection of meaningless honorary degrees from marginal US universities. She is a disgrace.
Richard Taxila, USA

Bangladesh has made lot of progress

Ashesh, USA

While relationships with its neighbours should be of principal concern to Bangladesh (especially with India), it should also expand its ties to the US. Dhaka can also circumvent the opposition of Islamists to export gas to India in this manner. Bangladesh has made lot of progress. However, a lot more could be achieved by common-sense policies.
Ashesh, USA

I think Bangladesh is far better off looking for co-operation with the US rather than neighbouring countries or say, Singapore that exploits cheap Bangladeshi labour in masses. It could also turn towards Europe and ensure a fair return for its resources and natural riches. In any case Sheikh Hasina should release Bangladeshi gas for development and simultaneously make sure the benefits come to the people of that country and not land in the hands of greedy or corrupt South/ South East Asian businessmen and government officials.
Miklos Nomad, Hungary

Pakistan is no longer the American "Cold War" ally and India will never allow American military presence in their country. What option does the US have except going to Bangladesh; the poorest and least influential nation in South Asia?
Kumar Sethi, USA/ India

The country has to be very cautious about protecting its interests and natural resources

Dewan Rahman, USA/ Bangladesh

I think Bangladesh has to improve its economic ties with the US in order to attract more and more investment. But at the same time, the country has to be very cautious about protecting its interests and natural resources. People may not get the benefit of all the resources if corruption and money-hungry companies take away the biggest share.
Dewan Rahman, USA/ Bangladesh

Bangladesh, being the only official moderate Islamic nation, has to play a better role in the world's politics and one that the US can use as a role country against Islamic terrorism.
Ashish, USA

I think that Bangladesh should stay away from such relations and try to strengthen their relationship with the European community.
Adnan Naeem, USA