U.S. Assistance For Democracy, Governance In Bangladesh Will Double

Dhaka, Bangladesh (AHN) - The United States is going to significantly increase funding and assistance for democracy and governance in Bangladesh in 2009.

Richard Boucher, assistant secretary for south and central Asian affairs, made the announcement while appearing before the House Foreign Affairs sub-committee on South Asia on Wednesday, local media reported, quoting a message received in the capital here on Thursday.

Boucher informed committee members that "in anticipation of a transition to a democratic government in Bangladesh following elections scheduled for December, our 2009 budget requests $21 million in support of democracy and governance programs, more than double the 2008 enacted level."

This additional funding, he added, will help to promote comprehensive anti-corruption reforms, strengthen the government institutions, particularly at the local level and support democratic political party development.

Responding to a question from Chairman Gary Ackerman (D-NY), Boucher said the U.S. wants to see the lifting of emergency measures before the election so that people can freely participate.

Mark Ward, USAID senior deputy assistant of administration for Asia, added that the U.S. government is planning to increase funding for further good governance reform initiatives that "build upon positive steps taken by Bangladesh's 2007 caretaker government."

Ackerman acknowledged the caretaker government's initiative in political reform, including the government's recent decision to allow indoor political gathering.