U.S. Economic Talks with Bangladesh Interim Leader Muhammad Yunus

The United States will engage in economic discussions with Bangladesh's interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. These talks aim to address Bangladesh's economic challenges and enhance growth. A U.S. delegation will analyze fiscal, monetary policies, and the financial system over the weekend in Dhaka.

The United States is set to launch economic talks this week with Bangladesh's interim government, including its leader, Muhammad Yunus, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday.

The government, led by the Nobel Peace laureate, was sworn in last month to hold elections following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina amid deadly protests over government job quotas. 'The United States is optimistic that, by implementing needed reforms, Bangladesh can address its economic vulnerabilities and build a foundation for continued growth and increased prosperity,' Brent Neiman, assistant U.S. Treasury secretary for international finance, told the newspaper.

A delegation of treasury, state, and trade officials is expected to discuss Bangladesh's fiscal and monetary policy, as well as the health of its financial system. The talks will be held on Saturday and Sunday in the capital, Dhaka, the paper added.

Officials in Bangladesh's finance ministry and Yunus' office said they were not aware of the visit. Bangladesh's $450-billion economy has slowed sharply since the Russia-Ukraine war increased fuel and food prices, forcing it to seek a $4.7-billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund last year.

(With inputs from agencies.)