Photo : MoFA

DHAKA, Aug 13, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam today underscored the importance of sustained engagement between Bangladesh and the US business community to further deepen bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation.

She made the remarks while hosting a luncheon in honour of a visiting 45-member delegation of the US-Bangladesh Business Council (USBBC), representing 25 leading American companies across energy, technology, financial services, healthcare and agriculture, said a foreign ministry press release tonight. 

Oliver Simpson, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Excelerate Energy and the delegation's mission lead, and Ambassador (retd) Atul Keshap, President of USBBC and Senior Vice President for South Asia at the US Chamber of Commerce, among others, attended the luncheon. 

Senior officials of the Bangladesh government and prominent business leaders were also present.

During the luncheon, Shama welcomed the delegation and highlighted the importance of continued interaction between the government, the private sector and US businesses in identifying new opportunities for mutually beneficial economic cooperation. 

Members of the US delegation and Bangladeshi business leaders exchanged views and shared experiences on opportunities and challenges related to trade, investment and business operations in Bangladesh.

The discussions covered energy, technology, the digital economy, healthcare, agriculture and financial services, reflecting the expanding scope of Bangladesh-US economic engagement.

Earlier in the day, the USBBC delegation held a two-hour meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, where both sides discussed ways to strengthen Bangladesh-US trade and investment relations and explore new avenues of economic cooperation.

The Foreign Minister, Finance Minister, Commerce Minister, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Adviser for Foreign Affairs and relevant advisers to the Prime Minister attended the meeting.

The USBBC delegation is visiting Dhaka from August 11 to 13 to explore opportunities for deepening bilateral trade and investment cooperation.

Peter Haas, Strategic Advisor to Excelerate Energy, and Atul Keshap delivered concluding remarks and a vote of thanks, expressing appreciation for the hospitality extended to the delegation and the opportunity for substantive engagement with Bangladeshi stakeholders.

The luncheon reaffirmed the shared interest of Bangladesh and the US business community in strengthening economic and commercial ties and promoting greater bilateral trade and investment cooperation.