Businesses from Dhaka and Washington are to engage in talks during the second partnership dialogue between Bangladesh and the US.
“It will strengthen business cooperation and widen its scope,” Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.
He said the first partnership dialogue had not included the private sector, but this time the two governments decided to incorporate them to strengthen trade and investment relationship.
Shahidul is going to lead the Bangladesh delegation in the dialogue slated for May 26-27. US State Department Undersecretary Wendy Sherman will lead the US side.
Representatives from more than 20 US companies, including General Electric, LF Sourcing, Sikorsky Aircraft, KPMG, Caravel Fund, Eli Lilly, Medtronic, Albright Stonebridge Group, Underwriter Laboratories, Becton Dickinson, Society for Human Resource Management, Lockheed Martin, Oshkosh Corp, and Boeing will take part in the business-to-business meetings.
These companies represent the energy, pharmaceutical, consultation, technology, human resources, aircraft, venture capital, financing, RMG, medical technology and other sectors.
“On May 26, the US business delegation will attend a seminar organised by the Dhaka Chamber,” said an official at the foreign ministry.
The seminar will have four sessions featuring themes of energy, connectivity, investment and labour rights; the summary of the sessions will be presented in the plenary session of the main dialogue on May 27, he said.
The US delegation will also have meetings with Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the official added.
The US business team is also likely to have meetings with Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Commerce Minister GM Quader, and Board of Investment Executive Chairman SA Samad.
Issues related to trade, development and security would be discussed at the partnership dialogue, he said, adding: “Bangladesh is likely to focus on market access, climate change and higher education facility while the US side is likely to focus more on energy and security cooperation.”