A high-level Bangladesh delegation has met US entrepreneurs and urged them to increase the investment in Bangladesh, considering the business-friendly atmosphere in the country.
The delegation, led by Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, attended two sessions in Washington, DC on Tuesday to discuss the matter, a press release said on Thursday.
Members of parliament Mahbubul Alam Hanif and Nahim Razzaq, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (West) Shabbir Ahmed Chowdhury, Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States M Shahidul Islam and others were present at the discussion.
Among the business representatives, Padma Bank Ltd Chairman Chowdhury Nafeez Sarafat was also present.
Mentioning that Bangladesh is committed to building everlasting friendship with the United States, Foreign Minister Abdul Momen called upon the American entrepreneurs to increase their investment in Bangladesh as a congenial atmosphere is prevailing for business there.
“We want to see the United States diversify its investment in Bangladesh, not only in the ICT, agriculture and renewable energy sectors but also other sectors. I hope, to strengthen the economic partnership, economic cooperation between the two countries and people-to-people connection of the two countries, a platform will be activated,” he said.
During the sessions, Nafeez Sarafat said that the US trade relations with Bangladesh have been steadily strengthening.
"A very constructive and effective discussion took place with US businessmen to invest more in Bangladesh, taking advantage of the investment climate that the current government has ensured.
“American investors are investing in Bangladesh in various fields. The United States is the second largest investor in Bangladesh after the United Kingdom. The country's investment in the country so far is about $1 billion. Another $1.5 billion is expected to be invested in power plants, coal mines and fertilizer projects," he added.
US Congressman Steve Cabot, Senator Chuck Schumer, Sidhanta Mehra from the International Affairs Division of the US Chamber of Commerce, SVP General Counsel and Corporate Secretary David Ringhofer, Senior Director of American Tower Corporation Sanjay Aggarwal and other influential business representatives of the USA also attended the sessions.
