DHAKA: Anne Aarnes, Assistant Administrator for Asia at the US Agency for International Development (USAID), arrived in Bangladesh Sunday on a four-day visit.  

During her stay in Bangladesh, Aarnes will visit development projects in Khulna, Jessore, Baagerhaat and Munshiganj. 

Assistant Administrator Aarnes is responsible for USAID’s development programs throughout Asia, except Afghanistan and Pakistan, including programs in more than 20 countries, reaching more than half of the world’s population.  

Prior to taking up her current position, Aarnes served as USAID Mission Director in Pakistan and Jordan and USAID Deputy Mission Director in Egypt and Bangladesh. 

In Washington D.C, she was posted as USAID’s Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Middle East. 

The United States Government, through the USAID has provided over $6 billion in development assistance to Bangladesh since 1971. 

In 2014, USAID provided nearly $200 million to improve the lives of people in Bangladesh. USAID supports programs in Bangladesh that promote democratic institutions and practices, expand food security and economic opportunity, improve health and education services, and increase resiliency to climate change through adaptation and low carbon development.

BDST: 1303 HRS, OCT 26, 2014