President of the US-Bangladesh Business Council (USBBC) Ambassador Atul Keshap has highly appreciated Bangladesh’s growing economy.
"There is such energy and positive momentum in the economy," he wrote referring to his recent meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
"I have so many good things to say about Bangladesh! What an impressive country in so many ways, despite the challenges and complexities," he said, adding that it is great to be back after eight years.
Keshap said everyone here is so friendly, and the food is truly fantastic.
"My Board Chair and I had the honour of meeting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, for an excellent conversation about the government's plans for the future prosperity of this country," he mentioned in a Facebook post from his verified account.
Keshap said he will write more when he finishes this very busy trip.
On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen hosted the business delegation from the USA at the State guesthouse Padma. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam was also present.
The US Bangladesh Business Council - headed by Chairman Kobos and Ambassador Atul Keshap consisted of top executives from the energy, power, equity, aviation, agro, food processing, Medicare and other major sectors.
The two sides discussed the long-term possibilities and prospects for business between the two countries and the mid-term measures needed to be taken to realise the huge potential in these sectors.
The delegations also discussed the possibility of trade, investment and technology transfers in the next two years from now and building on a stronger sub-regional growth trajectory and leveraging the Bay of Bengal frontiers, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Earlier in April this year, he said that Bangladesh is one of the most exciting markets in the world right now and one of the most inspiring development stories of the past two decades.
He said Bangladesh’s anticipated graduation from LDC status in 2026 presents a potent moment for the American business community to expand their ambitions in the nation, and for the US and Bangladesh to shape a forward-looking trade vision geared towards a new and rising Bangladesh.
Ambassador Atul Keshap, former US diplomat and current President of the US-India Business Council, is now serving as the President of the US-Bangladesh Business Council (USBBC), as part of his expanded role as Senior Vice President for South Asia.
“I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to lead the USBBC at this auspicious time in Bangladesh’s economic development. I look forward to strengthening the global commercial partnerships which are fuelling Bangladesh’s rapid growth,” he said.
The USBBC, under his leadership, hosted the inaugural visit of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, on May 2.
The event centred on the theme of “US-Bangladesh Economic Cooperation,” and advance discussions on bilateral trade and smart growth.
The US-Bangladesh Business Council, inaugurated by Prime Minister Hasina in 2021, is the main industry organisation in the US-Bangladesh economic corridor and among the fastest-growing bilateral business councils in the US Chamber of Commerce’s International Division.
