Shibbir Ahmed, WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) Board of Directors has approved more than $8 billion in new investments aimed at expanding U.S. exports, strengthening critical infrastructure and energy security, and supporting American technology and businesses in international markets.

The DFC said the investments include projects in Ukraine, Jordan, Sub-Saharan Africa and emerging markets, with additional support for critical minerals in West Africa. The agency described the package as part of its effort to advance U.S. economic and national security interests.

One major component will support U.S. exports to emerging markets through a counter-guarantee for the International Finance Corporation’s Global Trade Finance Program. The arrangement is designed to help foreign banks expand trade-finance capacity and facilitate purchases of American goods.

In Ukraine, DFC will provide financing to Vodafone Ukraine to strengthen telecommunications infrastructure, including the development of secure and reliable 5G networks. The agency also approved financing for a 200-megawatt/400-megawatt-hour battery energy storage portfolio across six Ukrainian sites. The project, developed by DTEK with technology from U.S.-based Fluence, is designed to improve the stability and resilience of Ukraine’s electricity grid. DFC said the storage system could provide enough power for approximately 600,000 homes for two hours.

In Jordan, DFC approved a loan for the National Carrier Project Company to support construction, operation and maintenance of a seawater desalination plant and water-conveyance system. Political-risk insurance will also be provided for equity investors Meridiam and Suez.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, DFC will make an equity investment in WIOCC Group to expand digital infrastructure across the continent. WIOCC operates telecommunications, data-center and fiber-network infrastructure spanning 30 African countries, according to DFC.

DFC is also supporting a critical-minerals project in West Africa. The agency said some additional transactions remain confidential because of commercial sensitivities and may require further steps, including congressional notification, before they can be formally committed and closed.

DHAKA — Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Grigoryevich Khozin has said the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is expected to supply 300 megawatts (MW) of electricity to Bangladesh’s national grid by next month.

The ambassador made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Administrator Md Fazlul Hoque at the FBCCI office in Gulshan on Wednesday afternoon. Khozin said work is underway to resolve technical issues at the nuclear power plant, with nearly 4,000 Russian experts and engineers currently involved in the process.

During the meeting, the Russian envoy also agreed to jointly establish a Russia-Bangladesh Business Council aimed at expanding trade, investment and broader economic cooperation between the two countries.

He said Russia is also planning to organize a Russia-Bangladesh Business Forum in Moscow, providing an opportunity for businesses from both countries to establish direct contacts and explore potential partnerships.

According to the ambassador, a formal announcement about the proposed forum is expected during a meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission, scheduled to be held in Dhaka in early November. The business forum is expected to facilitate greater interaction between Bangladeshi and Russian traders and create new opportunities for bilateral business cooperation.

To further strengthen trade ties, FBCCI Administrator Fazlul Hoque urged Russia to give greater priority to Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) sector, along with other emerging areas of mutual economic interest. The discussions highlighted the two countries’ interest in expanding economic and commercial relations while exploring new avenues for investment and private-sector cooperation.

DHAKA — Bangladesh’s readymade garment (RMG) exports to the United States surged 25.65 percent year-on-year in August, marking the highest monthly growth recorded in the US market, according to data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB). Bangladesh exported more than $817 million worth of garments to the US in August of the 2026-27 fiscal year, compared with $650.34 million during the same month a year earlier.

During July-August of FY2026-27, Bangladesh’s RMG exports to the US reached $1.61 billion, registering an 11.42 percent increase from the corresponding period of FY2025-26. The average monthly RMG export to the US during the first two months of the current fiscal year stood at $806.46 million, compared with an average of $645.38 million in FY2025-26. The strong performance was largely driven by the sharp increase recorded in August.

The United States remains Bangladesh’s largest single market for RMG exports. In FY2025-26, Bangladesh exported around $9.04 billion in merchandise to the US, up 4.09 percent from the previous fiscal year. Of that amount, approximately $7.74 billion came from RMG products, while non-garment exports accounted for about $1.30 billion.

Bangladesh’s non-RMG exports to the US include leather and leather goods, jute products, home textiles, agricultural and processed food products, plastics and melamine products, pharmaceuticals, footwear, textiles and yarn, and light engineering products.

US market offers further growth opportunities

Apparel industry leaders say Bangladesh has significant room to expand its presence in the US market, particularly through product diversification and increased production of higher-value garments. Mohammad Fazlul Hoque, an apparel entrepreneur and administrator of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), said the August increase was partly linked to the deadline for placing orders for winter apparel.

“Despite various global crises, Bangladeshi entrepreneurs have an inherent capacity to compete,” he said, adding that exporters are receiving better orders from US buyers for the coming months. Hoque said greater product diversification could help Bangladesh substantially increase exports to the US.

Fazle Shamim Ehsan, executive president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and managing director of Fatullah Apparels Ltd, said changing global conditions have created opportunities for Bangladeshi exporters. He stressed that reliable energy supplies and policy continuity would be important for fully utilizing those opportunities.

Mahmududdin Rubel, CEO of Bangladesh Apparel Voice, described the current pace of RMG exports to the US as encouraging. He estimated that if the current trend continues over the next 12 months, Bangladesh’s RMG export earnings from the US could reach $9 billion in FY2026-27. He also emphasized the importance of product diversification, higher value addition and improved quality to strengthen Bangladesh’s position in the US apparel market.

Focus shifts to export diversification

Alongside garments, Bangladesh is seeking to expand exports of leather, jute, home textiles, agricultural and processed food products, pharmaceuticals, plastics and light engineering goods to the US. The Commerce Ministry has identified pharmaceuticals, leather and leather products, agricultural goods, light engineering and information and communication technology as priority sectors for expanding trade with the United States.

Bangladesh earned around $48 billion from total merchandise exports in FY2025-26, with the United States accounting for approximately $9.04 billion, making it the country’s largest single export destination.

The sharp growth in RMG exports during the opening months of FY2026-27 has renewed attention on Bangladesh’s potential to expand its share of the US apparel market while diversifying its overall export base.

Shibbir Ahmed, WASHINGTON DC: The U.S. Senate on Tuesday blocked legislation that would establish a comprehensive federal regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies, dealing a major setback to the digital-asset industry and Republican lawmakers who had championed the bill. The Clarity Act failed to secure the 60 votes needed to advance, with senators voting 49-50 on the procedural measure, according to the Associated Press.

The legislation was designed to provide clearer rules for the $2.3 trillion U.S. cryptocurrency market, including defining regulatory responsibilities and establishing greater legal certainty for digital-asset companies. Crypto industry groups had strongly backed the measure and spent hundreds of millions of dollars lobbying for its passage.

Democrats opposed advancing the bill without stronger restrictions concerning President Donald Trump and his family’s financial interests in cryptocurrency. Trump and his family have significant business interests in the sector, including World Liberty Financial and a cryptocurrency meme coin.

Republicans had revised the legislation in an effort to address those concerns. The revised version included provisions giving state attorneys general greater enforcement authority and requiring public officials with significant interests in crypto-related companies to divest those interests or place them in blind trusts. Democrats argued that the changes did not go far enough.

The bill also faced concerns from the banking industry over provisions involving stablecoins, which allow certain digital tokens to maintain a value linked to traditional currencies. Banking groups warned that stablecoin rewards could encourage customers to move deposits away from banks and potentially affect lending.

The Senate’s action represents a significant setback for the cryptocurrency industry’s effort to secure its first comprehensive federal regulatory framework. Reuters reported that the legislation now faces limited prospects for revival in the near term, particularly with Congress approaching the November midterm elections and a recess.

Financial markets reacted to the Senate vote. Bitcoin fell about 4% to around $75,908, while shares of cryptocurrency companies Coinbase and Circle each declined roughly 9%, according to Reuters.

The Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission have meanwhile continued developing cryptocurrency-related rules, but industry participants have argued that legislation from Congress is needed to provide a more permanent regulatory framework.

DHAKA — U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen and Labor Attaché Leena Khan met with Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) Executive Chairman Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman to discuss ways to strengthen Bangladesh-U.S. relations through high labor standards.

The meeting, held in Dhaka on Monday, focused on the importance of maintaining strong labor standards as a foundation for sustainable economic growth, improved working conditions and a stronger business environment in Bangladesh. According to the U.S. Embassy, the discussions highlighted how high labor standards can benefit workers and businesses while contributing to long-term economic growth in both countries.

The meeting also underscored the importance of continued cooperation between Bangladesh and the United States on labor issues as the two countries seek to deepen their broader economic and commercial relationship. High labor standards are increasingly important to Bangladesh’s export-oriented industries, particularly the ready-made garment sector, which remains heavily dependent on access to major international markets.

Improving workplace safety, protecting workers’ rights and ensuring compliance with internationally recognized labor standards can also help strengthen the competitiveness of Bangladeshi businesses and attract greater foreign investment. The discussions between the U.S. delegation and BEPZA leadership come at a time when Bangladesh is seeking to further modernize its export-processing zones and improve the overall investment environment.

BEPZA oversees the country’s export processing zones, which host domestic and foreign-invested companies engaged in export-oriented manufacturing and employ a large workforce. The U.S. side has repeatedly emphasized labor rights and workplace standards as important elements of the broader Bangladesh-U.S. trade and economic relationship. Ambassador Christensen and Labor Attaché Leena Khan’s meeting with the BEPZA executive chairman reflects Washington’s continued engagement with Bangladeshi authorities on labor issues and economic cooperation.

Both sides emphasized the potential for stronger cooperation to create a more favorable environment for workers and businesses while supporting sustainable and mutually beneficial economic growth. The meeting is expected to contribute to ongoing efforts to deepen Bangladesh-U.S. economic ties through improved labor practices, stronger worker protections and a more competitive investment environment.

DHAKA — U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen inaugurated a new Smart Warehouse of Paxar Bangladesh Limited, a subsidiary of global materials science and manufacturing company Avery Dennison, at the Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ) in Savar on Monday. The technology-driven facility is designed to strengthen supply-chain efficiency and improve the speed and accuracy of supplying labels and other products to Bangladesh’s ready-made garment and footwear industries.

The 830-square-metre warehouse has been integrated with Paxar Bangladesh’s existing operations and can accommodate approximately 25,000 cartons at a time. Receiving, storage, order picking, packing and dispatch operations will be managed through digital and automated technologies.

The new facility is part of Avery Dennison’s broader Manufacturing 4.0 initiative and reflects the company’s efforts to introduce greater automation, digital connectivity and supply-chain visibility into its Bangladesh operations.

The warehouse incorporates seven automated guided vehicles (AGVs), advanced warehouse management systems and connected packing software. According to Avery Dennison, the system is designed to deliver real-time visibility across the fulfillment process, with processing speeds increasing by 72 percent, inbound volume capacity rising fivefold, outbound velocity doubling and inventory density increasing by 50 percent.

Speaking at the inauguration, Ambassador Christensen said technology, productivity and supply-chain efficiency were important for strengthening Bangladesh’s competitiveness. He said American companies could further enhance Bangladesh’s industrial capabilities through technology, expertise and investment, adding that initiatives such as Avery Dennison’s Smart Warehouse demonstrated the potential for deeper commercial and economic ties between Bangladesh and the United States.

“Congratulations to Avery Dennison on the opening of its new Smart Warehouse in Bangladesh. This investment is an excellent example of American business, technology, and innovation strengthening the commercial relationship between our two countries,” Christensen said.

The inauguration was attended by Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) Executive Chairman Major General Mohammad Moazzem Hossain, ndc, afwc, psc, G, MPhil; American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) President Syed Mohammad Kamal; and members of Avery Dennison’s executive leadership team.

Major General Moazzem Hossain said technology-driven investment was increasing the capacity and productivity of enterprises operating in the EPZs while making Bangladesh’s export industries more competitive.

He described Avery Dennison’s Smart Warehouse as an example of Bangladesh’s progress toward smart manufacturing, automation and modern supply-chain management.

“Companies like Avery Dennison are bringing not only investment to Bangladesh, but also technology, knowledge and modern production practices,” he said. He also emphasized that technology transfer and development of a skilled local workforce were among the important long-term benefits of foreign direct investment.

Before the inauguration, Ambassador Christensen met with the BEPZA executive chairman at the Dhaka EPZ Zone Office. During the meeting, BEPZA briefed him on its activities, investments in the EPZs, exports, employment, labour conditions and worker-management relations.

The discussions also focused on technology-driven investment, international standards and opportunities to strengthen Bangladesh-U.S. economic and trade relations. Christensen later wrote in the visitors’ book that he looked forward to working together on a mutually beneficial trade agenda to help unlock Bangladesh’s economic potential. He also planted a sapling on the Zone Office premises.

Avery Dennison said the new facility was developed in response to growing demand from customers for faster fulfillment, greater customization and more transparent supply chains.

Michael Barton, senior vice president and general manager of Apparel Solutions at Avery Dennison, said Bangladesh remained an important part of the company’s global apparel business.

He said the company was committed to growing alongside Bangladesh’s apparel industry as customer requirements become faster, more customized and increasingly data-driven. The new facility combines automation, connected systems and the expertise of Avery Dennison’s teams to improve the speed and reliability of service to customers.

Sazzad Hossain, general manager for Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at Avery Dennison’s Apparel Solutions, said accuracy and speed were increasingly important as customers dealt with demanding production schedules and more complex orders.

He said improved inventory visibility and closer integration of packing, storage and dispatch operations would help the company respond more effectively to shorter lead times and customized production requirements.

The Smart Warehouse will serve apparel and footwear manufacturers in Bangladesh and global markets by improving inventory visibility, reducing picking delays and logistics errors, and enabling faster response to customer requirements.

Avery Dennison’s wider apparel solutions portfolio includes Embelex, an apparel embellishment platform covering heat transfers, embroidered patches, woven labels and specialty graphics, as well as Optica, its supply-chain solutions portfolio, and RFID and other digital identification technologies.

Paxar Bangladesh has been operating at the Dhaka EPZ since 2003. The U.S.-owned company has invested approximately $81 million in Bangladesh and currently employs around 1,500 people, according to BEPZA and media reports.

The opening of the Smart Warehouse comes as Bangladesh seeks to improve productivity, technological capacity and supply-chain efficiency in its export-oriented manufacturing sector. The investment also highlights the growing role of U.S. companies in bringing advanced technology, expertise and modern production practices to Bangladesh.

Avery Dennison’s latest investment is therefore being viewed not only as an expansion of its own operations but also as an example of how American technology and investment can contribute to Bangladesh’s transition toward smarter, more digitally connected manufacturing.

DHAKA: Bangladesh-US trade relations could see more positive outcomes over the next 30 years and beyond if Bangladesh fulfills its commitments under the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent Christensen has said. He made the remarks on Saturday (September 12) at a ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham Bangladesh) in the capital.

“Congratulations to the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh on 30 years of advancing US-Bangladesh commercial relations. Over the past 30 years, AmCham Bangladesh has been a reliable partner of the US government, and I am confident that if Bangladesh fulfills its commitments under the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, we will see even more positive results over the next 30 years and beyond,” the ambassador said.

Current and former AmCham leaders, representatives of member companies, government policymakers, diplomats, business leaders and other distinguished guests attended the event. The programme was organized to commemorate AmCham Bangladesh’s three-decade contribution to strengthening Bangladesh-US economic relations, particularly in trade and investment.

The event began with the national anthems of Bangladesh and the United States, followed by a screening of a commemorative documentary titled “30 Years of Making Possibilities Possible,” produced to mark AmCham Bangladesh’s 30th anniversary.

In his welcome address, AmCham Bangladesh President Syed Mohammad Kamal highlighted the organization’s journey from a vision three decades ago to becoming a strong platform for business, investment and Bangladesh-US economic partnership.

He expressed gratitude to the chamber’s founding members and former leaders for their vision, leadership and contributions to its development. Speaking about AmCham’s future priorities, Kamal emphasized the need for a clear two-year energy roadmap, a more investment-friendly business environment, greater attention to intellectual property rights and cybersecurity, and effective implementation of regulatory reforms.

He also urged the government to make greater use of the global experience, technology, knowledge and capabilities of AmCham and its member companies. At the event, AmCham Bangladesh Vice President and MetLife Bangladesh Chief Executive Officer Ala Uddin Ahmed announced the launch of the “AmCham Excellence Award” to recognize outstanding contributions across various sectors.

DHAKA – Bangladesh and China today discussed cooperation on the Bangladesh-China-Myanmar Economic Corridor alongside a wide range of bilateral areas, including infrastructure, energy, human-resource development and economic cooperation.

The issues came up when Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen paid a courtesy call on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, MP, at her office here, according to a foreign ministry press release.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on areas of mutual interest and cooperation, particularly the Bangladesh-China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, the Chinese Economic Zone and development of Mongla Port.

They also discussed the proposed 1,000-bed hospital in Rangpur, education and human-resource development, people-to-people exchanges, energy cooperation, including renewable energy, and women’s empowerment.

Shama recalled Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s successful visit to China and appreciated Beijing’s continued support for Bangladesh’s development, particularly in infrastructure, human development and capacity building.

Ambassador Yao reaffirmed China’s commitment to Bangladesh as a trusted partner and friend and highlighted the significant progress made in bilateral relations in recent years. During the meeting, the Chinese envoy also invited the state minister to visit China at a mutually convenient time, leading a delegation of women entrepreneurs from Bangladesh. Shama welcomed the invitation and expressed appreciation for the initiative.

DHAKA: Adani Power has resumed operation of both units of its power plant in India and is now supplying 1,046.73 megawatts (MW) of electricity to Bangladesh’s national grid. “We have finally brought both units of the power plant back into operation today after resolving the technical faults, and generation is being increased gradually,” a company official said. Power generation from Unit-2 of Adani Power’s Godda plant in Jharkhand resumed today following repairs to a mechanical fault.

According to the latest information from Adani Power, electricity supply to Bangladesh resumed after the fault was repaired, with 1,046.73 MW connected to the national grid at around 2pm. Unit-2 had remained out of operation since midnight Thursday due to the technical problem.

Earlier, electricity supply from the Adani plant resumed when the 800-MW Unit-1 was connected to the national grid at 12:04pm, said Mohammad Jahurul Islam, a member of the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB). Bangladesh imports electricity from Adani Power under a 25-year power purchase agreement signed in 2017 to procure 1,600 MW from its coal-fired power plant in Godda.

Data from the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) showed that Adani Power had been supplying around 800-1,000 MW of electricity to Bangladesh since mid-August. The Godda plant consists of two 800-MW units and supplies electricity exclusively to Bangladesh under a long-term agreement with the BPDB.According to the BPDB, Bangladesh’s electricity demand stands at around 15,520 MW during the daytime peak period, while demand rises to approximately 16,920 MW during the evening peak.

An energy expert said the country’s power situation is improving following the resumption of electricity supplies from Adani Power. He said the government is also working to restore the power situation to normal and reduce load shedding across the country.

Dhaka: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has urged US-based global energy company Chevron to increase its investment in exploring new gas fields in Bangladesh to strengthen the country’s energy security and meet growing domestic demand.

The prime minister made the call on Sunday (September 13) during a meeting with a high-level Chevron delegation led by Javier La Rosa, president of Base Assets and Emerging Countries, at the Prime Minister’s Office in Bangladesh Secretariat.

Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Swadhin confirmed the matter.

According to him, the meeting focused on investment opportunities in Bangladesh’s energy sector, particularly increasing Chevron’s investment in existing and mature gas fields as well as exploring new gas fields in the country.

The discussions also covered ways to expand investment in Bangladesh’s energy sector to help ensure a stable supply of natural gas amid rising demand.

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister’s Adviser for Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for Power and Energy Anindya Islam Amit, Chevron Bangladesh President and Managing Director Xu Xiong, and other senior officials concerned.