Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with a US Congressional delegation from the House of Representatives of the USA led by Jack Kingston during a courtesy call by the latter on her at Gono Bhaban yesterday. Photo: PID

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday stressed the importance of smooth continuation of the democratic process in the country for its rapid progress.
“The democratic process should go ahead smoothly as no country could achieve its desired goal without it,” she said when a five-member US Congressional delegation led by Jack Kingston called on her at her official residence Gono Bhaban.
After the meeting, the prime minister's Deputy Press Secretary Bijan Lal Deb briefed journalists.
The prime minister said her government was working relentlessly to put democracy on a strong footing. “We believe in people's rights to vote and their empowerment,” she said.
In her previous term, the prime minister said initiatives were taken to boost US investment in the country. As part of that, US investment increased manifold in the last couple of years, she said.
Hasina mentioned the Meghnaghat and Haripur power plants which were built with US investment.
The US Congressional team lauded Bangladesh's tremendous success in various sectors, including agriculture, education and women empowerment. They also praised the contributions of Bangladesh to UN peacekeeping missions by providing troops.

The US Congressional delegation also laid emphasis on strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries.
Ambassador at-Large M Ziauddin, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Shaikh Md Wahid Uz Zaman, PMO Secretary Molla Waheeduzzman, PM's Special Assistant Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Dan W Mozena were present on the occasion.