27th U.S. Trade Show 2020

• 27 Feb 2020
• 10:00 am
• Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, Dhaka

The 3-day Show took place from 27^th – 29^th February 2020 at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, Dhaka.

Co-sponsored by the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) and the Embassy of the United States of America. Annual US Trade Show, the opportunity for showcasing the high quality, cutting-edge American products and services US businesses can offer to Bangladeshi consumers, highlight the US business community’s contributions to our impressive economic growth story and demonstrate US commitment to deepening and broadening US-Bangladesh economic and commercial relations since its inception here in Dhaka from 1992. Over the years, this exhibition evolved with the demand of time and addressed the issues making it a pristine show of the country. In persuasion of this objective, AmCham introduced digital campaign, created a platform in the social media (Facebook) and updated regularly with the offerings of the participants. There were a series of news in the Electronic and Print media regarding the Trade Show and bilateral economic relationship between USA & Bangladesh. AmCham President appeared at a number of Television Talk Shows with a view to identify the opportunities and recommended action and policies to overcome the snags on the way to progress. There were articles published based on the interviews of AmCham President in the renowned National Newspapers. Apart from the wide range of media coverage the trade show received from the Electronic and Print media during the 27^th edition of the Trade show this year.

The press conference on the eve of the 27^th annual U.S. Trade Show 2020 held at The Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, Dhaka attended by Chargé d’ Affairs, United States Embassy in Dhaka, Ms. JoAnne Wagner, President, Mr. Syed Ershad Ahmed, Vice President, Mr. Syed Mohammad Kamal, Convener of the Organizing Sub-Committee Mr. Showkat Ali Sarkar. AmCham president Syed Ershad Ahmed said that 48 exhibitors representing over hundreds of US entities would display their products at 80 booths to be set up at the trade show. This year, 11 new companies were taking part in the exhibition, he said. The volume of trade between the two countries increased to over $9 billion in the last fiscal year 2018-2019 from less than a billion in 1992 when the first edition of the show was arranged, he said. Chargé d’ Affairs Ms. Wagner, briefing the media mentioned that in recent years the bilateral trade between the two countries has gone up so much as to more than double from 10 years ago. She pointed out that the US companies are keen to maintain labor condition, transparency and corporate social responsibility while doing business in Bangladesh. “The show is an important symbol of the strong and continuous US commitment to this market, and to Bangladesh,” she said. “The United States believes in free market principles, and that the innovation and drive of the private sector, is the best ways to foster long-lasting economic growth and development.  This trade show is an opportunity to see for yourself how the vibrant US business community is working together with the equally dynamic people of Bangladesh, to the benefit of both of our countries,” Wagner added. AmCham Trade Show committee convener Mr. Showkat Ali Sarkar said that four seminars on education in the US, Doing business in the US and availing business visa to the country, USAID and facilitating trade and America’s Indo-Pacific economic vision would be held on the second and third days of the show. The show will remain open for visitors on all three days from 10:00am to 8:00pm, he also added. AmCham vice-president Syed Mohammad Kamal and executive director Md. Shahadat Hossen, among others, were present at the briefing.

In honor of the participants of the Tarde Show, the US embassy hosted a reception on 26^th February evening at the residence of US Ambassador. All the exhibitors from home and abroad along with the members of AmCham and business leaders of the country joined the program. The CDA, JoAnne Wagner welcomed all the participants and invited guests at the reception preceding the Trade Show. She had been quite optimistic while delivering her brief remarks, noted that the Trade Show comes at an important moment for U.S.-Bangladesh trade and investment ties. She said,  U.S. companies also take their corporate responsibilities seriously, noting examples of CSR projects supported by numerous U.S. firms in Bangladesh. Mr. Syed Ershad Ahmed, President-AmCham also greeted all the guests  and appreciated the US embassy for their continued support to AmCham adding that the US Trade Show demonstrates the US commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s continued economic growth and development and a strong partnership to help ensure a free and open market-based economics and reciprocal trade principles. He also offered his profound thanks to all the supporters, sponsors, especially Standard Chartered Bank for their continued cooperation and active participation at the Show and related events.

Industries minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun inaugurated the trade show urging the entrepreneurs of the United States to invest in Bangladesh’s different sectors including energy, infrastructure, communications, agro-based industries, ICT, education, tourism and real states. “Our government’s industrial policy provides extensive incentives and facilities to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) anywhere in Bangladesh, especially at the Export Processing Zones (EPZs). I am happy to see the U.S.A at the top of this investors’ list already,” he said. The minister said the Bangladesh was moving ahead towards the development super highway under the prudent leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “There are many multinational companies and banks operating in the country and they are posting quite an appreciable amount of profit for the owning companies. The U.S. investors can avail these opportunities as well,” he said.

Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Md. Sirazul Islam listed the facilities for the overseas entrepreneurs and investors to attract FDI in Bangladesh. JoAnne Wagner, Charge d’ Affairs of the U.S. embassy in Dhaka said in the inaugural event that her country was happy to see that the U.S.A is the number one destination for Bangladeshi products export market, especially ready-made garments. “We hope that this three-day long trade show will open more opportunities to do business in both the countries. We also hope that this show will find out more new investment and business potentials in both countries,” she added. Syed Ershad Ahmed, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) informed the audience that the U.S.A is one of the most significant and flourishing business partners of Bangladesh with the growing opportunities on various sectors. He said that the U.S.A is the largest single country investor in Bangladesh since 2019. “The Products and services of the U.S.A have great reputations across the world for their durability and advanced technology. We believe this show will also help to find out new customers in fast growing Bangladesh market in different fields like oil and gas, heavy industries and medical equipments,” Ershad said.

The trade show also organized 4 seminars on business visions, education in the U.S.A, private sector engagement opportunities in USAID-Bangladesh and Americans’ Indo-Pacific economic vision. The four seminars were divided over two days – 28 and 29^th February. The interest for business visas and education in USA was enormous as the seminar room was packed with people. The throngs of participants say that how they were interested to do business and learn education in the U.S.A.

The trade show was ended with a dinner on the last day to greet the overseas guests of the show mainly participating companies. Salman F Rahman, the adviser to the Prime Minister, Private Industry and Investment graced the occasion as the chief guest. US Ambassador Earl R. Miller and Deputy Chief of the Mission Ms. JoAwnne Wagner were also present in the program. Ambassador Miller in his brief remarks also appreciated the show how it worked as a catalyst in promoting the trade between the two economies and mentioned few aspects to look into to improve the existing business environment. He said, US trade show is an “excellent opportunity” to recognize the contribution of US companies to Bangladesh’s development. Jahangir Alam, Group CEO of Bangla Trac Ltd. Also spoke. Salman F Rahman in his remarks thanked both the organizers for organizing this show. He said that the trade and business relations between Bangladesh and the United States were excellent and US is the largest single-country destination for Bangladesh’s exports and expected it to continue in future. He hoped that Bangladesh would be able to attract more foreign direct investment in the coming days and AmCham would play a vital role in this regard. During the trade show dinner, AmCham also organized the award presentation ceremony for “Excellence in Stall Design” among the participants. AmCham has selected 6 exhibitors for their excellent creative design, portraying the theme of the trade show, attracting the attention of the visitors. The winners are: B – Trac Technologies Ltd., Chevron Bangladesh, International Beverages Private Ltd., International Distribution Company Bangladesh (Pvt.) Ltd., Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd. and MJL Bangladesh Ltd. (MOBIL). The Winners received crest from the chief guest  Salman F Rahman in presence of Ambassador Miller and AmCham President  Syed Ershad Ahmed. On the same occasion some air tickets were distributed to the participants through a raffle draw. Four tickets were also handed over among the lucky winners of the raffle draw for US Trade 2020 Exhibitors.

Bangladesh’s President, Prime Minister, Commerce Minister, Industries Minister and the US Ambassador in Bangladesh sent messages on the occasion of this trade show.