Dhaka: The United States Embassy in Dhaka has successfully trained 60 young Bangladeshis in communication, leadership, and negotiation skills through a comprehensive four-day program. The initiative, aimed at enhancing future business and leadership ties between Bangladesh and the United States, concluded with a ceremony attended by U.S. Ambassador Brent T. Christensen.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the program, titled ‘The Art of the Deal: American Excellence in Negotiation Skills,’ was supported by U.S. English Language Specialist Joanne Munisteri. It brought together 60 alumni of the Access English program from Dhaka, Chattogram, and Sylhet. The curriculum incorporated principles from former U.S. President Donald Trump’s book, “The Art of the Deal,” alongside broader American methodologies on negotiation, communication, and leadership development.
During the closing ceremony, Ambassador Christensen praised the participants as a new generation of Bangladeshi leaders equipped with critical negotiation and leadership competencies. He highlighted the masterclass nature of the training, which was based on insights from one of America’s most accomplished dealmakers. Recalling a personal experience during the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Christensen shared an anecdote about advising a foreign diplomat to read “The Art of the Deal” to better understand Trump’s approach to leadership and negotiations.
The ambassador emphasized that the techniques taught during the course reflected key elements of the American approach to negotiation, including preparation, clear communication, strategic thinking, mutually beneficial partnerships, and common sense. He stressed that successful negotiation is not just about making deals but also about building relationships based on trust, solving problems, and creating new opportunities.
Christensen further noted that American businesses operating overseas value confident leaders who understand American negotiation and communication styles. He expressed hope that the program would contribute to stronger business-to-business relations and further enhance economic cooperation between Bangladesh and the United States.
The U.S. Embassy stated that this initiative is part of its broader efforts to develop leadership, communication, and professional skills among Bangladeshi youth and strengthen people-to-people ties between the two countries. Ambassador Christensen thanked the trainers and participants for their engagement and encouraged them to apply the skills gained during the course and share the knowledge with colleagues, classmates, and communities.