B Mirror Report: The American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) has called for stronger economic cooperation between Bangladesh and the United States as bilateral trade reached a historic high of $11.8 billion, reflecting deepening economic engagement between the two countries.

The remarks were made at a high-level business luncheon titled “Advancing U.S.–Bangladesh Economic Partnership,” held in the capital on April 28, 2026, organized by AmCham at the Sheraton Hotel.

The event was attended by Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir as chief guest and U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen as special guest, along with senior government officials, diplomats, business leaders and AmCham members.

Speaking at the event, participants highlighted the strong growth in bilateral trade, which has increased from around $1 billion in the mid-1990s to over $11 billion at present, marking a significant expansion of economic ties.

AmCham President Syed Ershad Ahmed said Bangladesh’s exports to the U.S. stood at about $9.5 billion in 2025, with the ready-made garment sector contributing $8.2 billion. He noted that Bangladesh has captured more than 10 percent of the U.S. apparel market, reflecting its competitiveness in the global supply chain.

He further said U.S. exports to Bangladesh amounted to around $2.3 billion, mainly comprising cotton and soy-based products, and stressed that the trade relationship remains resilient amid global economic changes and supply chain realignments.

Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir emphasized the need for export diversification, expanded market access, and increased investment inflows. He said the government is prioritizing sectors such as pharmaceuticals, leather goods, agriculture, light engineering, and ICT to broaden the export base.

He also sought continued U.S. support for Bangladesh’s smooth graduation from least developed country (LDC) status, noting that the country has proposed extending the transition period and is targeting November 2029 for graduation.

U.S. Ambassador Brent T. Christensen underscored the importance of strengthening Bangladesh–U.S. economic engagement and expanding cooperation in trade and investment.

Speakers at the event also called for a multi-stakeholder approach involving government agencies, the private sector, and international partners to unlock new investment opportunities and deepen economic cooperation.

The luncheon concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, where the Commerce Minister and U.S. Ambassador engaged directly with business leaders on key issues and opportunities affecting bilateral trade.