US keen to ‘boost business in Bangladesh’

Paul Frost, the newly-appointed Commercial Counsellor at the US Embassy in Dhaka, has said that expanding opportunities for American businesses in Bangladesh will be his top priority. "The opportunities for American companies in Bangladesh are significant and expanding," Frost said while addressing an American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) luncheon to welcome his new role at a city hotel on Tuesday.

He identified agriculture, aviation, power and energy as key sectors for boosting US exports to Bangladesh. In addition, there is growing potential in infrastructure development, engineering services, ICT, healthcare, and defense and security equipment, he noted.

Frost particularly emphasised the need for agricultural infrastructure, including cold chain and storage facilities, to support Bangladesh's growing food and agribusiness demands.

Citing the latest AmCham magazine, he acknowledged that several challenges continue to hinder business interests in Bangladesh, such as corruption, financial governance issues, a complex tax regime, infrastructure and logistics constraints, and excessive bureaucracy.

"Like many of you, we are aware of the systemic issues affecting the private sector," he said. "We've been actively assisting American companies facing difficulties such as payment delays, repatriation of earnings, and unfulfilled contractual obligations with both government and private partners."

While welcoming the interim government's willingness to engage on these issues, Frost stressed that these obstacles "directly impact the bottom line" of US businesses and could limit future export growth if left unresolved.

"Our goal, together with AmCham and other stakeholders, is to break down these barriers and strengthen the trade and investment climate," he added.

Frost also highlighted a growing interest among Bangladeshi manufacturers in sourcing US-made synthetic fibers, describing it as a promising area for bilateral trade expansion.

On investment, he praised the record participation of 40 Bangladeshi companies at the recent SelectUSA Investment Summit, urging even greater involvement at the next summit, scheduled for May 3-6, 2026, in Washington, D.C.

"The summit is a powerful platform to connect with US stakeholders, gain market insights, and explore new opportunities for investment and expansion in the United States," he said.

Frost concluded by reaffirming the US commitment to deepening commercial ties with Bangladesh, expressing confidence that the next phase of the partnership will be "even more productive."

AmCham President Syed Ershad Ahmed, in his welcome address, expressed optimism that bilateral trade between Bangladesh and the US would reach new heights under the leadership of the newly appointed Commercial Counsellor.

He said the United States is not only the largest single investor in Bangladesh but also a key partner in technology and knowledge sharing. "Reducing non-tariff barriers and lowering logistics costs would help attract more US investment," Ershad added, stressing the need for further improvements in labour laws to enhance the investment climate.

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