In a meeting with Industries Minister Motiur Rahman Nizami here, the US envoy said his country was willing to invest more in the industrial sector of the country and laid emphasis on ensuring "freedom of association" of workers for the development of the sector.

The minister sought more US investment explaining the incentives for foreign entrepreneurs here and the government's reform initiatives including balancing of workforce in losing concerns and denationalisation of state-run industrial units.

He said the government also laid emphasis on generating employment opportunities in rural areas and opinion building for the denationalisation drive as part of the reform initiatives.

The minister apprised the US ambassador of the workers' rights of engagement in trade unions saying the labourers had rights to practice trade unionism at all the units across the country.

Thomas praised Bangladesh's continued endeavours for democratic uplift and said it has already set an example for all in establishing democratic system.