"I am a supporter of free trade," the senator told Morshed Khan when the latter met him at his Senate office in Washington DC on Thursday.

The bill, titled TRADE Act of 2005 that proposes duty-free access for textile and other products from 14 Asia-Pacific LDCs including Bangladesh, has recently received the support of a number of key senators, making its prospects bright.

Stressing the need for duty-free access for textile products from Bangladesh, the foreign minister said, "Such access is not only important for the economy of Bangladesh, but also crucial for sustaining empowerment of women as readymade garment industry employs over 1.5 million female workers."

The foreign minister reiterated Bangladesh's commitment to fight extremism in all its forms.

He said the government is seriously dealing with the August 17 bomb blasts, and has already arrested a large number of people involved in the incident.

Khan assured Senator Chafee of the government's sincerity in bringing to justice the perpetrators of all political violence, including those responsible for the killing of former finance minister Shah AMS Kibria.

During the meeting, both sides agreed on the need for working together on various areas of Bangladesh-US relations.

Chafee accepted Morshed Khan's invitation to visit Bangladesh at a convenient time.

They also discussed the overall political and economic situation in the South Asian region when Khan told the senator that Bangladesh is sincere in maintaining friendly relations with all its neighbours.

Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury accompanied the foreign minister to the meeting.