The American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) is working to attract an additional $5 billion in US investment to Bangladesh over the next four and a half to five years. The organisation expects the 30th US Trade Show, scheduled to be held in Dhaka from November 5 to 7, to play an important role in achieving this goal.

Speaking at a press conference in Dhaka on Monday, AmCham President Syed Mohammad Kamal said the United States had invested around $5 billion in Bangladesh over the past 15 years. Discussions have been held with the government on the possibility of attracting another $5 billion in investment over the next four and a half to five years.

“We are not claiming that the entire $5 billion investment target will necessarily be achieved. However, this trade show will make it easier to reach the goal,” Kamal said.

He added that AmCham had also raised the issue during a meeting with the Prime Minister on August 11.

The AmCham president said there was considerable potential for attracting more US investment to Bangladesh. However, energy security remained the most important factor in attracting investors. AmCham is working with the government on this issue and expects to receive an energy roadmap from the government soon. A separate seminar on the energy sector will also be held during the trade show.

Kamal said that instead of trying to attract investment across all sectors, the organisation was prioritising industries where US technology and innovation could be widely applied and where there were opportunities for value addition in Bangladesh.

At the press conference, organisers said representatives of American chambers of commerce from different countries would also attend this year’s trade show. Investors from several companies that have not yet started operations in Bangladesh are also expected to participate. AmCham considers attracting 10 to 12 new companies to invest in Bangladesh a major achievement of the event.

36 Companies and Seven Startups to Participate

According to the organisers, 36 companies and seven startups will participate in this year’s exhibition, featuring a total of 63 booths.

The participating or represented US companies include Caterpillar, Chevron, ExxonMobil, MetLife, Citigroup, Mastercard, Visa, Colgate-Palmolive, Philip Morris International, PepsiCo, Costco, PPG, UPS and Cargill.

Separate zones will be arranged for power and energy, information technology and the digital economy, banking and financial services, consumer goods, manufacturing and logistics, education, and agribusiness.

The exhibition will also feature a startup zone, a carnival zone for direct shopping and a heritage corner showcasing the history of the US Trade Show.

Six thematic seminars will be held during the three-day event. The topics will include power and energy, healthcare and medical technology, information technology and the digital economy, women in leadership, investment in the United States through SelectUSA, and Bangladesh-US trade relations.

Experts from the respective sectors, along with government representatives, will participate in the seminars.

The exhibition will remain open to visitors from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm every day.

Organisers said the US Trade Show in Bangladesh was first launched in 1992 under AmCham’s initiative. After being suspended for several years, the event is returning following a gap of around two and a half years. The organisation is also celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

Paul G. Frost, Commercial Counsellor at the US Embassy in Dhaka, was present at the press conference.