Gor’s Boeing remarks may refer to earlier deal: Shama
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam today said US Special Envoy Sergio Gor's remarks about Bangladesh purchasing more Boeing aircraft might have referred to the country's previously concluded aircraft deal.
"His comments regarding the purchase of aircraft from Boeing may have been about the previous agreement," she told journalists at the Foreign Ministry this morning.
The remarks came after Gor, US Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs and Ambassador to India, said in a recent social media post that President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had struck "another incredible Deal" involving Bangladesh's commitment to spend "Billions of Dollars" on more Boeing aircraft.
Gor also claimed that Bangladesh would "significantly" increase its initial Boeing order.
His remarks prompted questions over whether Dhaka had entered into a fresh aircraft procurement agreement with Washington or Boeing.
Bangladesh's state-owned Biman Bangladesh Airlines signed an agreement with US aircraft manufacturer Boeing in Dhaka on April 30 for the purchase of 14 aircraft as part of its fleet expansion programme.
The agreement covers eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, two 787-9 Dreamliners and four 737-8 MAX aircraft.
The Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry has subsequently maintained that no separate Boeing aircraft deal has been signed apart from the 14-aircraft agreement.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir had earlier said Bangladesh views cooperation with the United States, including in trade and investment, from the perspective of the country's national interest.
He said the government would pursue its external engagements from a position of strength while building bilateral and multilateral relations and increasing Bangladesh's international visibility and influence.
