Washington, D.C. –Today, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce launched the U.S.-Bangladesh Business Council, which will focus on advocacy and engagement to strengthen the bilateral commercial partnership. As Bangladesh celebrates its 50th anniversary of independence, the new Council will serve as a platform for American businesses to engage both governments and promote opportunities for business to drive mutually beneficial economic growth.
The Council launch featured inaugural remarks by Bangladesh Prime Minister Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina, as well as special addresses by U.S. Department of State Senior Official for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment Ambassador Marcia Bernicat, Prime Minister’s ICT Affairs Advisor Sajeeb Wazed Joy, Minister of Commerce Tipu Munshi and Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary Dr. Ahmad Kaikaus, U.S. Ambassador Earl Miller and Bangladesh Ambassador Islam.
“The United States has remained a strong partner in our journey towards democracy and development. It is important that both countries provide adequate policy support to further expand bilateral trade. We are constantly improving our physical, legal and financial infrastructure to facilitate foreign investment,” said Bangladesh Prime Minister Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina. “Bangladesh’s sustained economic growth, rapidly expanding domestic market and growing connectivity with a vast regional market of four billion people makes Bangladesh a promising destination for U.S. business and investment. I hope the U.S.-Bangladesh Business Council will help expand the economic partnership between our two countries.”
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has a long-standing record of work to support the trade relationship with Bangladesh. “The United States is one of Bangladesh’s most important trading partners, and over the past decade we’ve seen an impressive growth trajectory that we are confident will create new opportunities for U.S. companies. Our launch of the U.S.-Bangladesh Business Council reflects the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s commitment to advance efforts to deepen trade and investment ties between the two countries. We believe the Council will serve as the premier bridge between business and government leaders in both countries,” said Myron Brilliant, Executive Vice President and Head of International Affairs for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
The Council will be led by Nisha Biswal, President of the U.S.-Bangladesh Business Council and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President for South Asia, and Sidhanta Mehra, Director of the U.S.-Bangladesh Business Council. “Under the leadership of Bangladesh Prime Minister Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has seen tremendous growth and so too has its partnership with the United States,” said Biswal, who served as Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs under President Barack Obama. “The U.S.-Bangladesh business Council will work to strengthen trade and investment between our two countries, promote transparency, inclusion and market-based reforms so that we can ensure that the coming decades continue to build prosperity and opportunity for the people of Bangladesh.”
The Council will be guided by a newly constituted U.S.-Bangladesh Business Council Board of Directors. “The U.S.-Bangladesh Business Council is a reflection for the need of a dedicated platform to understand and partner with the Bangladesh of the Future,” said Jay R. Pryor, Vice President, Business Development for Chevron and the Inaugural Chair of the Council’s Board of Directors. Reflecting on Bangladesh’s growth, Pryor noted its future will be “one that is sustainable, helps Bangladesh reach its economic development goals and by doing so, creates a business environment that empowers Bangladeshi women, enables small business growth, and strengthens communities through better access to healthcare, employment, and also energy.”
U.S. and Bangladeshi corporate leaders speaking at the launch event included Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, MetLife Executive Vice President and CFO John F. McCallion, Walmart International President and CEO Judith McKenna, Excelerate Energy President and CEO Steven Kobos, bKash Founder and CEO Kamal Quadir, GE South Asia President Mahesh Palashikar, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry President Sheikh Fazle Fahim, Visa Senior Vice President for Global Government Engagement Ambassador Demetrios Marantis, MetLife Senior Vice President for Strategic Growth Markets in Asia Elena Butarova, and ShopUp Co-Founder and CEO Afeef Zubaer Zaman.
Please contact Sid Mehrasmehra@uschamber.comto get involved in the work of the Council.
About the U.S.-Bangladesh Business Council and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
The U.S.-Bangladesh Business Council is a business advocacy platform built to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties. On behalf of our members, the Council is committed to advancing policy transparency and business reforms. The Council offers the latest insights on Bangladesh policy and industry-specific developments, engages senior U.S. and Bangladesh government officials, and advocates on key commercial priorities. We provide support on strategic advisory, market-entry, business-to-business and business-to-government opportunities.
The U.S.-Bangladesh Business Council Board of Directorsincludes the following:
Jay R. Pryor, Vice President, Business Development, Chevron & Inaugural Chair
Elena Butarova, Senior Vice President, Strategic Growth Markets – Asia, MetLife
Rafael Frankel, Director of Public Policy, APAC Emerging Countries, Facebook
Steven Kobos, President and Chief Executive Officer, Excelerate Energy
Ambassador Demetrios Marantis, Senior Vice President, Global Government Engagement, Visa
Mahesh Palashikar, President, General Electric South Asia
Kevin Roepke, Head of South Asia, U.S. Soybean Export Council
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business organization, representing companies of all sizes across every sector of the economy. Members range from the small businesses and local chambers of commerce that line the Main Streets of America to leading industry associations and large corporations. They all share one thing: They count on the U.S. Chamber to be their voice not only in Washington, but in capitols and business hubs around the world.
The Chamber’s International Affairs division is home to more than 80 regional and policy experts, working in every international market of significance to U.S. business. Through 20 bilateral business councils, cross-cutting initiatives in sectors including defense, sustainability and healthcare, and partnerships with the global network of American Chambers of Commerce and local associations, the Chamber promotes a pro-growth trade and investment agenda.
