United States Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen met with Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher at the minister's office in the Bangladesh Secretariat. The discussion focused on strengthening the long-standing friendly relations between Bangladesh and the United States. Key topics included the housing sector, the National Building Code, urban development, affordable housing, and the development of public spaces and parks.
During the meeting, Minister Taher sought US cooperation in establishing the Bangladesh Earthquake Safety and Research Institute (BESRI) to enhance the country's earthquake disaster management capacity. Ambassador Christensen assured his support in facilitating contacts with experienced US experts in the field.
Christensen also expressed the interest of various US organizations in contributing to the development of Bangladesh's housing sector. The meeting was attended by the secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, along with other senior officials from the ministry and the US Embassy.
The establishment of BESRI is crucial for Bangladesh, a country prone to seismic activities. Enhanced earthquake safety measures and research will significantly contribute to the nation's resilience against natural disasters.
