THE recent decision by the Trump administration to freeze all foreign assistance worldwide, effective immediately, may cause worries among some in Bangladesh. This is especially so when the United States is the third largest source of foreign aid in Bangladesh after Japan and the United Kingdom. The US aid to Bangladesh stood at around $32 billion during 2000鈥�2022, compared to Japan鈥檚 approximately $71 billion and the UK鈥檚 about $45 billion. However, Bangladesh should seize this as an opportunity to wean itself off foreign aid. As a matter of fact, Bangladesh does not need foreign aid any more for its development and progress. We must get rid of the mind-set of external dependence.
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