অপরাজেয় বাংলা :: Aparajeo Bangla

BD-US business networking event

Shared prosperity, promising prospects highlighted

Special Correspondent

প্রকাশিত: ১১:৪৫ এএম, ৩১ মার্চ ২০২১ বুধবার   আপডেট: ০৬:০৮ পিএম, ৩১ মার্চ ২০২১ বুধবার

The Consulate General of Bangladesh in New York and US-Bangladesh Global Chamber of Commerce jointly organized a virtual networking event titled “US- Bangladesh Trade and Investment Opportunities” on Tuesday (March 30). 

As a part of celebrating the glorious 50th anniversary of the independence of Bangladesh and the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, this virtual networking event was organized. 

It addressed the trade, investment and business  opportunities in power and energy, readymade garments and knit composite, banking, capital market, insurance, information technology and telecommunication, health, education, hospitality, textile, jute and jute goods.

Speakers from Bangladesh described the country as a land of golden opportunities and as one of the most promising economies in the world. They offered the investment opportunities in information technology, agribusiness, light engineering, medical equipments, in capital market and many more areas. 

Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority-BEZA, Bangladesh Export Processing Zones-BEPZA, Bangladesh High-tech Parks Authority, Public Private Partnership Office all these authorities are directly working for creating an investment friendly Bangladesh under direct supervision of Prime Minister’s Office, speakers mentioned.  

A stable macroeconomic environment, resilient domestic demand, and export-oriented industry-led growth have placed Bangladesh among the fastest growing economies of the world. Its economy growing steadily above 6.5% on average over a decade has transformed the country into a land of opportunities, speakers opined in the webinar. 

Bangladesh is enjoying its developing market economy more than ever before. The United Nations Committee for Development Policy (CDP) has recently recommended graduation of Bangladesh from the category of Least Developed Country (LDC) as it fulfilled the eligibility criteria in terms of per capita income, human assets and economic and environmental vulnerability, which are important positive indicators for trade and investment opportunities, the speakers highlighted.

Speakers from American side lauded Bangladesh for its ‘great going’ and they mentioned about their interests for investment in this growing economy. They all congratulated Bangladesh on its 50th anniversary of independence and the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. They put emphasis on smart governance, human capital, innovative businesses and natural energy issues. 

Speakers underscored on climate change impact and showed their interest in investment for green, renewable and sustainable energy. 

Bringing best practices from USA to Bangladesh was also committed by the US business leaders while they emphasized on zero tolerance to corruption as one of the first and foremost condition. 

Beside business related issues, the speakers found areas of potential cooperation and opportunities to deliver educational support, developing new lifestyles and healthy human.  

Sadia Faizunnesa, Consul General of Bangladesh in New York, Aziz Ahmad, Chairman of US Bangladesh Global Chamber of Commerce (USBDGCC) co-organized and Mark Szoller, Executive Director, National Association of Asian MBA and former Managing Editor of New York Times moderated the session.

Shared prosperity, we all are looking forward, the consul general emphasized in the webinar. 

Fostering US-Bangladesh trade and investment opportunities presents a promising prospect are our main goals, said Aziz Ahmad.

Md. Sirazul Islam, Executive Chairman, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA),  Paban Chowdhury, Executive Chairman, Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA),  Md. Abdul Karim, Managing Director, UCEP Bangladesh and Former Principal Secretary, Nihad Kabir, President, Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI),  Rubana Huq, President, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Syed Almas Kabir, President, Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) and  Ferdousi Shahriar, Minister & Deputy Chief of Bangladesh Mission, Washington DC took part in the discussion from Bangladesh part. 

In American side the speakers were Chris Traub, Chairman, Strategic Executive Search Group, Co-Founder, COmastermnd and Vortex Global, Jabeen Quadir, Founder, Exponential Sustainability Strategist, Sustainability Edge Solutions, Jennifer Larson, Director, Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, US Department of State [TBC], Terrence Clark, CEO, New York & New Jersey Minority Development Supplier Council, Savio Chan, Chairman, US China Partners, Myles M. Matthews, Chairman,Global Trade and Technology Center (GTTC), Salim Ismail, Co-founder and Chairman of OpenExO, David C. Traub, A Venture Catalyst/Investor, Global Business and Economic Dev Exec, Steven Rockefeller III, Business Executive, Shahid Malik, President, PSEG Energy Resources.