The Daily Corporate Desk
Dhaka, 12 September 2026: The Bangladesh government and the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) will work together to attract an additional $5 billion in US investment over the next five years, Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has said.
Speaking at an event marking AmCham Bangladesh’s 30th anniversary in Dhaka on Saturday, the minister said the government is ready to work closely with US companies to expand investment, create employment, facilitate technology transfer and unlock new economic opportunities.
“Whenever a genuine business issue is brought to us, my ministry and the government will make the utmost effort to find a practical solution,” Muktadir said.
The event was attended by US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen, AmCham President Syed Mohammad Kamal, Vice President Ala Uddin Azad, and other business leaders and representatives.
US-Bangladesh economic ties extend beyond trade
Muktadir said bilateral trade between Bangladesh and the United States has now surpassed $13 billion, but the relationship between the two countries goes well beyond trade figures.
He highlighted the contribution of US companies to Bangladesh through investment, technology, employment, knowledge transfer and global best practices.
According to the minister, AmCham member companies have invested more than $5 billion in Bangladesh and contribute over 20% of the country’s national revenue, reflecting continued confidence in the Bangladesh market.
He said AmCham leaders recently expressed interest in bringing another $5 billion in US investment to Bangladesh over the next five years during a meeting with the Prime Minister. The government, he added, will provide the necessary support to help turn the target into reality.
Government seeks to resolve business bottlenecks
The commerce minister pointed to Corteva Bangladesh, an AmCham member company, as an example of government-business cooperation.
He said a complication related to the company’s industrial and commercial licences was resolved within a month through government intervention.
Muktadir said addressing practical business challenges quickly is essential to building investor confidence and creating a more predictable investment environment.
Bangladesh positioned for wider US investment
The minister described Bangladesh as a market with significant investment potential, citing its strategic geographic position, young workforce and large domestic consumer base.
He identified technology, digital innovation, healthcare, manufacturing and financial services among the sectors where Bangladesh could offer growing opportunities for US investors.
At the same time, he acknowledged that investment opportunities alone are not enough to attract and retain international capital.
According to him, investors also need predictability, ease of doing business, efficient trade facilitation and a stable policy environment.
He said the government is working to simplify business processes, expand digitalisation, improve trade facilitation and create a more investment-friendly environment.
A new phase in Bangladesh-US economic partnership
Looking ahead, Muktadir said Bangladesh-US economic relations could enter a more dynamic phase, with greater US investment, wider adoption of modern technologies and global expertise, and improved access for Bangladeshi products and services to the US market.
He stressed that achieving these objectives will require stronger cooperation among the government, businesses, investors, development partners and organisations such as AmCham.
Marking AmCham Bangladesh’s three decades of operation, the commerce minister called for a stronger focus on trade, investment, innovation and employment as the two countries seek to deepen their long-term economic partnership.
“More trade, more investment, more innovation, new employment and a stronger and more lasting economic partnership between Bangladesh and the United States” should be the shared goal, he said.
