US is Bangladesh's largest export destination: Speaker

Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad on Thursday said economic relations between Bangladesh and the United States remained strong, with the two countries gradually building an important strategic economic partnership alongside their diplomatic ties.

“The United States is Bangladesh’s single largest export destination,” he said while inaugurating the 30th US Trade Show, organised by the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham), at Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka, according to a press release issued by the Parliament Secretariat.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo attended the event as the special guest, while US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen was the guest of honour. AmCham President Syed Mohammad Kamal delivered the welcome address.

Highlighting AmCham’s three-decade presence in Bangladesh, Hafiz Uddin said the 30th US Trade Show reflected the growing trade and commercial ties between the two countries.

He said AmCham’s longstanding activities had helped facilitate trade and investment in Bangladesh over the past three decades.

The exhibition features innovative ideas and products across several key sectors, including healthcare technology, power and energy, ICT and the digital economy, banking and financial services, manufacturing, education and agribusiness.

Against the backdrop of Bangladesh’s energy challenges, the Speaker invited US companies to explore the country’s oil and gas reserves in coastal areas and the Bay of Bengal, highlighting the potential for cooperation in addressing the energy crisis.

The three-day exhibition, a major platform for promoting trade and commercial ties between Bangladesh and the United States, will run from November 5 to 7 at Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka.

Representatives from the United States, officials of various diplomatic missions, AmCham Vice-President and executive committee members, invited guests and media personnel attended the event.