PM Tarique Rahman Seeks Greater US Investment, Stronger Economic Partnership

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has sought greater investment from the United States and stronger economic engagement with Bangladesh during a meeting with visiting US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor.

The meeting, held at the Prime Minister's Office in Tejgaon on Saturday morning, covered bilateral relations, trade and investment, technology cooperation, the Rohingya crisis and other issues of mutual interest. According to the Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin, the talks took place in a warm and cordial atmosphere and began at around 9:30am.

During the meeting, Sergio Gor praised Tarique Rahman's leadership and said stability was returning to Bangladesh under his administration. He pointed to the United States' recent positive revision of its travel advisory for Bangladesh as an indication of improving conditions.

Gor said the revised advisory could send an important signal to American investors that Bangladesh is increasingly prepared to receive investment and expand economic cooperation with the United States.

The two sides also discussed an upcoming visit by a delegation from the US-Bangladesh Business Council, which is expected to travel to Bangladesh next month. The planned visit is intended to strengthen business-to-business engagement and explore additional investment opportunities between the two countries.

Cooperation between Bangladesh and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was another issue discussed during the meeting. Gor assured the prime minister that he would support efforts to resume FDA inspection activities in Bangladesh, which could contribute to expanding trade opportunities and improving market access for Bangladeshi products.

Investment through the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) also featured prominently in the talks. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman encouraged continued US investment in Bangladesh, particularly in sectors such as warehousing, soybean, cotton, wheat and other agricultural industries.

He said investment in these areas could help Bangladesh develop a stronger and more competitive supply chain while supporting broader economic growth.

Gor said Washington would take a positive approach toward expanding cooperation with Bangladesh through the DFC. He also informed the prime minister that US investors based in Dhaka are interested in organising a US Investor Summit in Bangladesh in the near future.

The special envoy said he was personally working to help turn the proposed summit into reality, potentially creating a platform for American businesses and Bangladeshi policymakers to discuss investment opportunities directly.


Information technology was also identified as an area with considerable potential. Tarique Rahman expressed Bangladesh's strong interest in attracting greater US investment in the country's IT sector.

Gor agreed that Bangladesh has significant potential in information technology and said the country could eventually become a partner in the Pax Silica initiative. He also indicated that he would take steps to explore Bangladesh's participation in the initiative.


The Rohingya crisis was another major focus of the meeting. Gor referred to his visit to the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar on Friday and praised Bangladesh for providing shelter and humanitarian assistance to displaced people from Myanmar.

The prime minister expressed appreciation for continued US support for the Rohingya humanitarian response. He noted that more than half of international assistance for the crisis comes from the US government and American people.

Gor stressed the importance of finding a swift and sustainable political solution to the Rohingya crisis. He called for coordinated efforts involving ASEAN, neighbouring countries and other relevant stakeholders to address the prolonged displacement and create conditions for a durable resolution.

The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, State Minister Shama Obaed, Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, and advisers Rehan Asif Asad and Mahadi Amin. Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Tareq Ariful Islam was also present.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen attended the meeting as well.

Sergio Gor arrived in Dhaka on Thursday afternoon for a three-day visit. After his arrival, he met Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and subsequently travelled to Cox's Bazar to visit the Rohingya camps before holding talks with the prime minister.

The discussions reflect Bangladesh's efforts to strengthen economic and investment ties with the United States while seeking greater cooperation in trade, technology, agriculture and humanitarian affairs. Both sides also indicated interest in expanding private-sector engagement and creating new avenues for US investment in Bangladesh.