Trump's allegation of USAID's $29m funding false: Foreign Ministry

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has refuted allegations that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provided $29 million in funding to strengthen the political landscape in Bangladesh, as claimed by former US President Donald Trump. 

In a press release issued on Monday (March 3), the ministry stated that the allegations are false and based on misinformation.

The Foreign Ministry clarified that a project titled "Strengthening Political Landscape (SPL) in Bangladesh," funded by USAID, was indeed implemented. However, recent statements by former President Trump regarding the project have caused widespread confusion.

"[They] got $29 million. They got a cheque. Can you imagine you have a little firm, you get $10,000 here, $10,000 there. And then we get $29 million from the United States government. They had two people working in that firm," he said.

In response, the ministry conducted an investigation into the matter. The investigation revealed that during Trump's first term, USAID selected Democracy International (DI), a US-registered organization, to implement the project. The selection followed a transparent and competitive bidding process, with several international organizations participating. After signing the contract in March 2017, DI began implementing the project, which was later extended, with funding disbursed in phases.

Initially, the SPL project was a five-year initiative with a budget of $14 million. It was managed by USAID and co-funded by the UK's Department for International Development (DFID, now FCDO), which pledged $10 million. The primary objectives of the project were to reduce political violence, promote peace and harmony, foster peaceful coexistence among political parties, enhance their internal democratic practices, and encourage representative leadership. DI also conducted surveys in Bangladesh under the project.

The Foreign Ministry emphasized that USAID projects strictly adhere to US government financial management policies, which include rigorous auditing processes. Documentation related to the project is preserved for several years after its completion and can be re-examined if necessary.

The investigation confirmed that Democracy International, a US-registered organization, began implementing the SPL project during Trump's first term. Therefore, the allegation that the funds were provided to an organization owned by two individuals in Bangladesh is false. Such projects are implemented under bilateral development cooperation agreements between Bangladesh and the United States, leaving no room for individual influence or manipulation.