Dhaka: Around 45 senior executives from 25 leading US companies are set to visit Bangladesh by the end of next week to explore potential investment opportunities and enhance economic ties between the two nations. The delegation will engage in a series of meetings with various ministries and government agencies.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the executives are scheduled to meet Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, as confirmed by PM Office spokesperson Mahdi Amin during a press briefing outside the Prime Minister's Office in Tejgaon. The briefing followed a meeting between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor. Mahdi Amin highlighted that Washington has expressed strong confidence in Prime Minister Rahman's leadership, noting the stability and positive progression of Bangladesh's democratic journey under his leadership. The US has appreciated several policy measures adopted by the government over the past five months.
The discussions between the two sides aimed to elevate the longstanding Bangladesh-US relationship by deepening economic engagement, particularly focusing on increasing US investment, expanding bilateral trade, and creating more employment opportunities in Bangladesh. There was a specific emphasis on the role American companies could play in the country's economic development and the policy support the government could offer to facilitate increased investment. Both sides also explored ways to boost exports and imports between the two countries.
Mahdi Amin mentioned that the recent revision of the US State Department's travel advisory reflects growing international confidence in Bangladesh, signaling to American investors that the country is open for business and investment. He reiterated Bangladesh's intention to build on its historic relationship with the United States by expanding trade, attracting more American investment, and generating employment through a stronger economic partnership.
Expressing optimism, Mahdi Amin emphasized that the United States would continue to stand by Bangladesh as a friendly partner in its democratic journey, with Washington's confidence in Prime Minister Rahman's leadership being encouraging.
During the briefing, other officials including Prime Minister's Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon, Deputy Press Secretary Zahidul Islam Rony, and Assistant Press Secretary Nazmul Haque were present. Mahdi Amin also referred to a meeting earlier in the day between the Prime Minister and local business leaders, where government efforts to improve the investment climate were discussed. The Prime Minister addressed concerns raised by business leaders regarding energy security, tax reforms, and improving the ease of doing business, with solutions being explored.
The meeting further reviewed measures to attract greater investment into economic zones and industrial clusters by simplifying procedures and removing bottlenecks. One immediate decision was to ensure 24-hour operations at the country's ports, including Chattogram Port and Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, to facilitate faster import and export activities.
Mahdi Amin reiterated the government's objective to create more employment opportunities by promoting a business-friendly and investment-friendly environment through ongoing policy reforms and active engagement with the private sector. He described the upcoming visit as a crucial step towards expanding US investment in Bangladesh and further deepening bilateral economic cooperation.