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: 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 – President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today urged the United States to simplify its visa processing procedures for Bangladeshi tourists and business people to facilitate people-to-people and business ties between the two countries. The President made the call when US ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christenen paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban this morning.

During the meeting, the US envoy congratulated the President on his assumption of office as the President of Bangladesh. Recalling the past US investment and cooperation in the country’s agricultural development, the President called for further US investment and cooperation in the country’s development sector.

He also referred to Chevron’s investment and important role in the development of the country’s energy sector and urged increased US investment in Bangladesh’s energy, information technology, infrastructure, and health and high-tech industries sectors. The President also sought US cooperation in ensuring the safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland.

Thanking the US ambassador, the President said, “The United States is one of the Bangladesh’s important development partners. The existing trade relations with the US are playing an important role in Bangladesh’s economic development.”

On international relations, the President said, “Bangladesh attaches the highest importance to the principles of independence, sovereignty, national interest, mutual respect and equality in its international relations.”

He expressed the hope that bilateral relations and trade agreements with the United States would be further expanded in the days to come through mutual respect while protecting common interests. Referring to the recent bilateral trade agreements with US, the President said, “This is an important development in expanding the trade relations between the two countries.”

“There is a scope to make the agreement more balanced and mutually beneficial, taking into consideration the economic realities and interests of both the countries,” he added.

The ambassador assured that the US would continue its cooperation with Bangladesh and stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation with ASEAN countries. He also reiterated his US’s interest in further deepening and diversifying relations with Bangladesh. Military secretary to the President and Press Secretary and senior officials were present during the meeting.