US President Barack Obama assured continued assistance for Bangladesh's development works particularly in the field of education, health services and disaster management. The assurance came when Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Akramul Qader presented his credentials on Wednesday to the US president at the Oval office of the White House, according to a message received from Washington.

Speaking on the occasion, the US president said: "Bangladesh-US relations exemplify the vision of a partnership in protecting our people from terrorist threat and from those who might wish to destabilize democracy." Obama welcomed, once again, the free, fair, and transparent elections in December 2008 in Bangladesh and assured to help Bangladesh "to extend its democratic roots." The envoy reiterated Bangladesh's request for granting duty- free and quota-free access of Bangladeshi garment products to the US market. Ambassador Qader, while conveying greetings from the president and the prime minister of Bangladesh to Obama, underlined the commitment to individual liberty and the cherished values of democracy, rule of law, respect for diversity and pluralism, shared by Bangladesh and the US.

He reiterated the desire of Bangladesh government to further strengthen the multi-faceted bilateral relations between the two countries that have witnessed a remarkable transformation since the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh. Qader also highlighted Bangladesh's vulnerability to challenges of climate change. Recalling his recent meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in New York during the UN's General Assembly, Obama described her as a pragmatic, wise leader. Obama also recalled Hasina's invitation and assured that he was looking forward to visit Bangladesh.

The US president warmly welcomed the ambassador to the Washington DC and said Bangladesh, by virtue of her firm belief in democracy, remains a natural partner of the US. He highlighted the broad range of strategic interests and fundamental democratic values shared by the two countries. Referring to his Cairo speech, Obama reiterated his desire to see a Muslim majority Bangladesh where economy is "robust," educational opportunities are in "abundance" and international investments are in "plenty." Earlier, Qader was greeted with a guard of honour from a smart contingent of US Marines on arrival at the entrance of White House.

-Daily Star