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Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on US companies to invest in Bangladesh and expand their businesses, assuring American investors of government support and a favourable investment climate.
He made the remarks during an interaction with a 50-member delegation of the US-Bangladesh Business Council at his office in the Secretariat on Thursday morning.
“Our six-month forward-looking government wants US companies to invest in Bangladesh and expand their businesses. We welcome your capital, technology, expertise and global experience,” the prime minister said.
He said the government was committed to simplifying regulations, introducing business-friendly budgets and pursuing liberal economic and fiscal policies to create a favourable environment for investment.
“Our goal is to build a private-sector-led, rules-based and globally connected economy. We want American businesses to be our partners in this transformation,” he said.
The delegation was led by Oliver Simpson, vice president and chief commercial officer of Accelerate Energy, and Ambassador Atul Keshap, president of the US-Bangladesh Business Council and senior vice president for South Asia at the US Chamber of Commerce.
Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh offered significant opportunities for US businesses in energy, infrastructure, technology, digital services, finance, agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing and logistics.
The government is working to strengthen investor protection, simplify regulations, improve tax and VAT administration, facilitate profit repatriation, reduce bureaucratic hurdles and digitise public services, he said.
“We are also improving infrastructure, ports, logistics and energy security while encouraging investment in renewable energy and modern technologies,” the prime minister said.
Bangladesh welcomes US investment through direct investment, joint ventures, public-private partnerships and consultancy services, he said, adding that the government wanted to establish a long-term and mutually beneficial economic partnership with the United States.
He said the government was working to expand bilateral trade and strengthen Bangladesh’s export-import relations with the US while aligning the economic partnership with the broader strategic interests shared by the two countries.
Referring to the government’s target of building a $1 trillion economy by 2034, Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh was working to become a hub for manufacturing and investment through targeted incentives in priority sectors and greater investment in skills and technology.
“Our objective is not merely to attract foreign direct investment, but to build a lasting and mutually beneficial economic partnership,” he said.
The prime minister also said he had started his professional career as a businessman before entering politics, giving him an understanding of the importance of appropriate policies and a favourable environment for business expansion.
“My message today is very simple. The government is ready to listen, respond and cooperate on your business interests in Bangladesh,” he told the visiting business leaders.
“Consider the entire government as your partner. We are here to listen to you, respond to you and cooperate with you,” he said.
Urging US companies to invest with confidence and build long-term businesses in Bangladesh, Tarique Rahman said such investments would create jobs, expand trade and investment and further strengthen economic ties between Bangladesh and the United States.
“Let us grow together and build a prosperous, competitive and globally connected Bangladesh,” he said.
The delegation had earlier held meetings with several ministers, state ministers, advisers and senior government officials to discuss investment and business opportunities in Bangladesh.
Tarique Rahman expressed hope that the meetings had given the visiting business leaders a clearer understanding of the government’s priorities and the country’s investment potential, assuring them of all possible government support for a successful visit.