US Trade Show kicks off in Dhaka

A three-day US Trade Show kicked off to showcase American companies' products at Pan Pacific Sonargaon in Dhaka yesterday.

Tipu Munshi, minister for commerce, and Arun Venkataraman, assistant secretary of commerce for global markets and director general of the US and foreign commercial service, jointly inaugurated the trade show, where 46 American companies are displaying their goods in 76 stalls.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) and the US embassy in Dhaka jointly organised the show.

At the show, the new US Commercial Service Centre has also been inaugurated to provide commercial services to both Bangladeshi and US businesses from the embassy. Munshi said the bilateral trade was impressive between the two countries.

The US is the single largest export destination for Bangladeshi products and recently a lot of items from the US have also started coming to Bangladesh.

The new commercial office will help a lot in growing the bilateral trade between the two countries, Munshi said.

Venkataraman lauded the economic progress that Bangladesh attained in its 50 years of journey.

Currently, the US is the single largest export destination for Bangladesh, continuing to rise even amid higher inflationary pressure on consumers.

Potential customers inquire about some products after the inauguration of a three-day US Trade Show at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon in Dhaka yesterday. Some 46 American brands are showcasing their goods through 76 stalls at the event. Photo: Amran Hossain

Export from Bangladesh to the US soared 49.35 per cent to $10.41 billion last fiscal year, according to data from the state-owned Export Promotion Bureau.

Peter D Haas, US ambassador in Dhaka, said Bangladesh is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and it is expected to be a developed country by 2041.

"It is not surprising that nearly 50 companies are participating in the trade show as they think Bangladesh is an important place for business," he said.

"The US companies are here, and they are helping Bangladesh's transition to a middle-income country and a developed country by 2041."

Syed Ershad Ahmed, president of AmCham, also spoke.