PM Tarique Rahman Calls for Continued US Investment in Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today called for continued United States investment in Bangladesh, specifically highlighting agricultural warehousing, soybean, cotton, wheat, and the information technology sector.

The premier made the request when visiting US President's Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor paid a courtesy call on him at the Prime Minister's Office in Tejgaon on Saturday morning.

During the meeting, the two sides held wide-ranging discussions covering bilateral relations, trade and investment, regional cooperation, and other issues of mutual interest. PM's Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin noted that the meeting took place in a warm and cordial atmosphere.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman invited US participation in establishing robust warehousing facilities for commodities such as soybeans, cotton, and wheat, emphasizing that such investments would help build a strong and competitive supply chain. He also reaffirmed Bangladesh's keen interest in attracting foreign direct investment to the IT sector.

The leaders exchanged views on unlocking investment opportunities through the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). While the Prime Minister urged Washington to maintain its investment flow, Special Envoy Sergio Gor assured that the US would work positively to expand DFC investment cooperation in Bangladesh.

Special Envoy Gor informed the Prime Minister that US investors based in Dhaka are eager to organize a US Investor Summit in Bangladesh in the near future, adding that he is personally working to facilitate the initiative. The discussion also touched upon an upcoming visit by a delegation from the US-Bangladesh Business Council next month.

Additionally, both sides discussed expanding cooperation between Bangladesh and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Gor assured the Prime Minister of his support regarding the resumption of FDA inspection activities in Bangladesh.

Commending the Prime Minister's leadership, Gor remarked that stability is returning to Bangladesh under his administration. As evidence of this progress, he noted that the United States has positively revised its travel advisory for Bangladesh, sending an encouraging message to American investors that the country is ready for business.

Highlighting Bangladesh's potential in the IT domain, the Special Envoy noted that the country could become a partner in the PAX Silica initiative in the future, committing to take initiatives in this regard.

Addressing the Rohingya crisis, Gor shared insights from his visit to the refugee camps in Cox's Bazar on Friday, commending the government and people of Bangladesh for sheltering forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals and providing continuous humanitarian support.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman expressed gratitude to the US government and its citizens, noting that the United States provides more than half of the total international aid for the Rohingya community.

Special Envoy Gor stressed the urgent need for a swift, sustainable, and political resolution to the Rohingya crisis, underscoring the importance of coordinated efforts among ASEAN, neighboring countries, and international stakeholders.

The high-level meeting was attended by Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, PM's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, PM's Advisers Mahdi Amin and Rehan Asif Asad, Bangladesh Ambassador to the US Tareq Md Ariful Islam, US Ambassador Brent T. Christensen, and other senior officials.