Bangladesh Aims to Attract Additional 5 Billion Dollars in US Investment: Commerce Minister
Commerce Minister Mr. Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has said that the government and the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) will work together to bring an additional 5 billion US dollars in American investment to Bangladesh over the next five years. He said the government is fully prepared to work closely with American companies to increase investment, create employment, transfer technology and expand economic opportunities in Bangladesh.
He made these remarks as chief guest at the 30th founding anniversary celebration of the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham), held last Saturday night in the ballroom of the Radisson Blu Water Garden in the capital. US Ambassador to Bangladesh Mr. Brent T. Christensen and AmCham President Mr. Syed Mohammad Kamal were present at the event.
The Commerce Minister said that over the past three decades, AmCham has played an important role in developing economic relations between Bangladesh and the United States. It is not just a business organization but functions as an effective bridge between the government and the private sector. Mr. Muktadir said that bilateral trade between Bangladesh and the United States currently exceeds 13 billion US dollars, though this relationship is not limited to trade figures alone, with American companies making significant contributions to Bangladesh’s development through investment, technology, employment, knowledge and global best practices.
He said that AmCham member companies have invested more than 5 billion US dollars in Bangladesh and contribute more than 20 percent to the country’s national revenue, reflecting American businesses’ confidence in Bangladesh’s economy. The Commerce Minister said that AmCham leaders recently expressed interest, during a meeting with the Prime Minister, in bringing an additional 5 billion dollars in US investment to Bangladesh over the next five years, and that the government will provide the necessary cooperation to implement this initiative. The Minister said that whenever any genuine business problem is raised with them, his ministry and the government will make every effort to find a practical solution.
On this point, the Commerce Minister cited the example of AmCham member company Corteva Bangladesh, saying a complication related to the company’s industrial and commercial license was resolved within one month through government initiative. Describing Bangladesh as a promising country for investment, Mr. Muktadir said Bangladesh has vast potential in various sectors, including its strategic location, young and skilled workforce, large domestic market, technology, digital innovation, healthcare, manufacturing and financial services.
However, he noted that opportunity alone is not enough to attract investment, saying that investors need predictability, an easy business environment, efficient trade facilitation and a stable policy framework. He said the government is working to simplify business processes, increase digitalization, expand trade facilitation and create a more investment friendly environment.
On future economic relations, the Commerce Minister said the next chapter of the Bangladesh-US economic partnership could be even more promising, expressing hope that more American companies will invest in Bangladesh, modern technology and global expertise will be added, and access for Bangladeshi goods and services to the US market will further increase. The Minister said achieving this goal requires a strong partnership among the government, business community, investors, development partners and organizations like AmCham. He said everyone must work together to build more trade, more investment, greater innovation, new employment, and a stronger, more lasting economic partnership between Bangladesh and the United States.
