Economic Reporter :
The 24th three-day annual ‘US Trade Show’ begins here on Thursday, aiming to boost economic ties between Bangladesh and the United States.
The US Embassy in Dhaka is partnering with the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) to organise the trade extravaganza at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel.
“The US Trade Show highlights the great American products available in Bangladesh and the strong partnership between the US and Bangladeshi businesses,” said US Ambassador Marcia Bernicat, ahead of the trade show. “We’re delighted that the bilateral trade in goods reached nearly $7 billion in 2015, and believe this event will help increase our trade,” she said.
Meanwhile, the organisers briefed the media on various aspects of the trade show at Sonargaon Hotel in the city on Tuesday.
AmCham President Md Nurul Islam, vice president Showkat Ali Sarkar, Counselor for Political and Economic Affairs at the US Embassy in Dhaka Andrea Brouillette-Rodriguez, its commercial officer Daniel Keen, AmCham leader Khd. Rashed Maqsood, its secretary HN Ashikur Rahman spoke at the press conference.
Responding to a question, Andrea said, “We absolutely think it’ll boost trade between the two countries and don’t think that anybody is going to be disappointed.”
Some 40 exhibitors occupying 64 booths will participate in the trade Show this time while the number was 43 in the 23rd edition of the event.
Asked about the reason in the fall of numbers a bit this time, Andrea said they look at ‘quality’ instead of ‘quantity’. In response to another query, AmCham President Nurul Islam said
Bangladesh is making a very good progress economically and that is the key attraction for the investors, especially who look for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) “Our aim is to look at the positive side of the country and that is economic progress,” he added.
Daniel Keen said there is a ‘growing interest’ from the US side in Bangladesh but hesitated to say the exact figure of the FDI in Bangladesh. “I can simply say we’re one of the top source (of FDI in Bangladesh).”
Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed will inaugurate the trade show while Chairman of Asia Pacific Council of American Chambers of Commerce (APCAC) Jackson Cox will attend it as a special guest, said the AmCham President.
