Bangladesh eyes deeper engagement from US investors in key areas

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has said Bangladesh is looking forward to deeper engagement from American investors and institutions including the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), particularly in infrastructure, energy, digital connectivity, logistics and services sectors.

He said Bangladesh welcomed increased American investment and stronger supply chain cooperation between the two countries.

"We envision deeper cooperation between our universities, researchers, entrepreneurs and diaspora communities living across different states of the United States," he said while speaking as the chief guest at the US National Day reception held at United Convention Center in Dhaka on Wednesday evening (20 May).

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen hosted the reception where ministers, senior political leaders, diplomats stationed in Dhaka, business leaders, senior journalists and civil society members, among others, were present.

The theme at the celebration was - Revolutionary America, an homage to the brave men and women who fought against English colonial rule and won, leading to democratic governance based on liberty, self-determination, and the rights of individuals.

To mark America's 250th anniversary, Ambassador Christensen launched 50 red, white, and blue rickshaws to honor American independence and highlight the strong US-Bangladesh partnership.

The finance minister said Bangladesh and the United States have built strong bridges through diplomacy, trade and educational exchanges over the years.

"Our responsibility now is to deepen that partnership for future generations. I remain confident that the best chapters of Bangladesh-United States relations are still ahead of us," he added.

Investing in Future of Bangladesh

Then and now, the US Ambassador said America First does not mean America alone and often, they find things that are mutually beneficial.

"This is the nature of diplomacy. For example, the recent deal between Boeing and Biman Airlines. This deal represents American investment in the modernisation of Bangladesh's civil aviation sector," said the US envoy, noting that Boeing is not just providing planes, but helping Bangladesh develop its pilots, engineers, and systems.

Ambassador Christensen said Boeing and Biman are investing in the future of Bangladesh.

On the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, also known as the ART, the envoy said it is a joint investment in both American and Bangladeshi prosperity.

"This agreement allows for a modern, balanced trade and investment partnership," Ambassador Christensen said, adding that the ART includes numerous provisions that will benefit most of the people in this room.

He said it preserves Bangladesh's access to the US market with competitive 19 percent tariffs, down from 37 percent without the agreement, while supporting a level playing field where businesses and workers in both our economies can prosper and thrive. "This is really just common sense."

Strategic Cooperation

Last week, the two countries signed a new memorandum of understanding on strategic cooperation in the field of energy, an agreement that enables millions of dollars in energy projects and enhances Bangladesh's energy security, industrial development, and fuel diversification.

"The United States remains a reliable partner for Bangladesh's energy needs," said the Ambassador.

On 14 May, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance 'strategic cooperation' on energy resources, infrastructure development, and long-term energy security.

The agreement builds on President Trump's commitment to unleashing American energy dominance and strengthening global partnerships through affordable, reliable, and secure energy.

The MOU, the US side said, is expected to facilitate millions of dollars in energy-related projects and investment opportunities across the energy value chain, including liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), petroleum products, geothermal energy, and bioenergy.

"Thanks to President Trump's leadership, the United States is advancing strategic partnerships that expand American energy exports and strengthen global energy security," said Secretary Wright recently.

"This agreement marks a historic development in the US-Bangladesh relationship and reflects our shared commitment to unleashing affordable, reliable, and secure American energy to drive peace and prosperity at home and abroad," he said.

The MoU establishes a framework for expanded cooperation between Bangladesh and the United States on energy infrastructure, fuel diversification, and supply chain sustainability.

Through this partnership, both countries will advance opportunities to increase Bangladesh's imports of US LNG, LPG, and other American energy products while supporting industrial development, cleaner cooking solutions, and long-term economic growth.

Through partnerships like this, the Trump Administration continues to position the United States as a global energy leader, leveraging America's abundant energy resources to support economic growth, strengthen allies and partners, and promote greater stability, opportunity, and peace and prosperity at home and abroad.

The US Ambassador said the shared value of freedom and strength of their diplomatic relations are evidenced in US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's congratulations to Bangladesh on its own independence day.

"The United States values our longstanding partnership with Bangladesh, anchored in a shared vision for a free, open, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. We look forward to strengthening our economic and security partnership for the benefit of both of our people," Ambassador Christensen quoted the US Secretary of State.

The envoy at the reception said 'America First' also means being prepared to protect lives with prices of strife, both at home and abroad.

"We've worked together to address health security challenges, such as the recent outbreak, and to deliver effective light fitting existence. Our partnership strengthens both our nations and showcases America's leadership. America is interested in mutually beneficial policies because they simply make sense," he said.

"We are pursuing policies that make sense for the American people, just as all of you are pursuing policies that make sense for the people of your nations," he said.

About the US National Day, Ambassador Christensen said their founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence (of the USA).

In doing so, they asserted what they believed was a fundamental right for all people, the right to sell the rule, he said.

Reading from that foundational document, he said, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, but they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness that in secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the government."

Ambassador Christensen said the American Declaration of Independence has rightly inspired people across the globe.

"You can learn more about our history through our American Founders Museum - right now just next door at the Centrepoint Mall, and coming soon to other places around Bangladesh," said Christensen.