The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Bangladeshi-born Senator of Michigan State of the USA Hansen Hashem Clarke yesterday said he would work for the development of Bangladesh.

"I will never forget the people and the home of my forefathers here in Bangladesh. I will work for the development of Bangladesh," Clarke said in an exclusive interview with a national news agency yesterday.

He said he would also work to develop partnership for development between Bangladesh and the USA.

He said he could also contribute in expanding education and other support services as part of strengthening ties with Bangladesh.

Hansen Hashem Clarke, who came to Dhaka to take part in the First Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) Conference-2007 held from December 27 to 29, was first elected to the Michigan State Senate in 2002 and re-elected in 2006. He is son of Mozaffar Ali Hashem, a Bangladeshi, and Telma Ali, an US citizen. His father was born at Sridhara village of Beani Bazar upazila in Sylhet district. His father Mozaffar Ali Hashem migrated to Michigan state in the USA in 1920 while his mother Telma Ali was a police officer in the USA.

It may be mentioned here that several hundred NRBs from different countries, including the USA, UK, Canada, Middle East, Japan and Australia took part in it.

Hansen Clarke, who made courtesy call on the Chief Adviser yesterday, appreciated the Caretaker Government's performance under the leadership of Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed towards holding the stalled general election.

He discussed with Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed the possible role of Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) in development of the country.

During the meeting at the Chief Adviser's Office, the young Senator also lauded the government drive aimed at curbing corruption.

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed said, "The Non-resident Bangladeshis can keep a role in investment in Bangladesh availing the investment-friendly atmosphere and attractive incentives for NRB and foreign investors."

Responding positively Hansen Clarke said he had already talked with the business leaders of Michigan Chamber of Commerce and top executives of the Board of Investment (BOI) in Bangladesh in this regard.

The Chief Adviser also requested him to play a role for passage of a Bill placed in the US parliament regarding duty-free access of Bangladeshi goods to the US market, which would benefit the country's economy.

Senator Clarke said they would mobilise support for the passage of the trade bill.

Non-resident Bangladeshis in the USA Ehsan Taqbeem and Aziz Khandokar accompanied the Senator during the meeting. BOI Executive Chairman Kamaluddin Ahmed, Secretary of Chief Adviser's office Kazi Aminul Islam and Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim were also present.

Later, Hansen Clarke told official BSS news agency in an exclusive interview that he was working relentlessly to expand the state economy and a partnership with Bangladesh would strengthen the economy on both sides.

"I am working to strengthen economy and I would like to see the partnership on trade and investment to our mutual benefits," he said.

Clark takes pride in presenting himself as a Bangladeshi American as his father was born in Bangladesh and later migrated to the USA in early 1920s.

He said he would work with the US Congress to increase Bangladesh's export to the USA, especially ready-made garments.

Clarke said he met Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday, exchanged views with him on different areas where the USA can make contribution to foster trade, investment and particularly how the RMG exports can be increased.

He said he has also taken as very urgent the rehabilitation of cyclone victims and restoring them to normal economic activities. The state Senator said he had already talked about the food aid to Bangladesh with the USAID officials in Washington.

He said he is aware of the huge food deficit in Bangladesh in the follow up of two floods and cyclone devastation in a single year.

"I have already talked the issue also with the US State Department and it is being processed by the Federal Appropriation Committee," he said.

Replying to a question, he said he is having no intention to run for US congress or senate at the moment. To him, he said, it is more important now to work for strengthening the state economy.

"I will do my best to what job I am doing now in the state," he said adding, he feels he can better contribute to strengthen relations with Bangladesh from his present position.

To another question, he said he owed his election to black Americans community while the Bangladesh community has a sizable presence in the nearby constituency.

He said the Michigan state is basically an agrarian economy and it can help Bangladesh develop the agriculture where it has huge potentials.

"Bangladesh can use our experience and expertise," he said explaining the need for partnership and utilisation of bigger market access on both sides.

Narrating his experience of visiting the ancestral homes at Sridhara in Beani Bazar upazila of Sylhet district, he said he was overwhelmed during this visit.

"Almost I can not express my feeling, I had never imagined it," he said. The visit took me directly to location where my father was born and to the current family homes.

"People were so nice, I talked to them, they offered me reception and it touched my heart. I also saw the school where my father was educated," he said.