Luncheon forum with M Humayun Kabir Ambassador of Bangladesh to the United States
M. Humayun Kabir, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to the United States joined the 2008-2009 luncheon forum series with the topic of Current Situation in Bangladesh and the region. Before becoming the Ambassador of Bangladesh to the United States, Humayun Kabir was the Private Secretary to the Adviser for Foreign Affairs and Section Officer, Office of the Foreign Minister, then the first Secretary and Counsellor, Bangladesh Deputy High Commission, Kolkata, India, then counsellor, Bangladesh Permanent Mission to the United Nations, New York, Deputy High Commissioner, Kolkata, India, from 2006-7 the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Australia, New Zealand and Republic of Fiji. In 2007 he was appointed to his current position.
The Ambassador talked about the microfinancing in Bangladesh that served 20 million women who would support their families with their incomes, the healthy growth of the industry and economy of the country and the trade links to the United States totaling to 3.2 billion US dollars annually. He also mentioned the agrotechnology to fasten the growth of rice and a new genetic design to help the rice grow on water. He added that new research is conducted to grow potato under water and tomato on water. Ambassador talked about the storms and cyclones that gave a heavy toll of economy and people’s lives but the dynamic 140 million population of Bangladesh is able to make it with their determination and hope.
During the Q&A section Ambassador gave more information of the microfinancier activist Muhammad Yunus who was the 2006 Nobel Peace Price Winner. He added that more than 30 years ago, Yunus loaned several dozen poor entrepreneurs in his native land a total of 27$. He said it was the beginning of a lifetime devoted to fighting poverty through microfinance and added over the years, his bank loaned 7 billion dollars in small sums to 20 million women with 97% of the loans being repaid.
Pacifica Institute thanked the Ambassador for coming to Los Angeles from Washington DC and wished him a good stay in Los Angeles.