The 3-day grand US trade show held at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel concluded yesterday. The 28th US trade show was the busiest in its 30-year history. US products are gradually becoming popular with the people of the country.

In this regard, American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Bangladesh President Syed Ershad Ahmed told Daily Economist,
‘This show has been happening for 30 years. It is a great achievement. Even though it was closed during Corona, after two and a half years we are back in our original form.
He also said that we should not sit idly by to face the global economic challenges. Every possibility must be exploited. Notably, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi inaugurated the 28th US Trade Show last Thursday.
At that time, US Ambassador to Dhaka Peter De Haas and visiting US Assistant Secretary Arun Vankataraman and embassy officials were present.
The top local economists of the country think that the contribution of the United States in the economic development of Bangladesh, in the electricity, fuel and agriculture sectors is undeniable.
In this regard, the former official of the World Bank and the chairman of Policy Exchange. M. Mashroor Riaz told Daily Economist, that it is necessary to take the cooperation of the United States in the development of commercial agriculture in meeting and expanding the needs of ICT and renewable energy and food security. specialy attention should be paid to technology transfer for agricultural development.

The direct economic-trade relationship between the two countries has now exceeded 12 billion (1 thousand 200 crore) dollars, which is higher than at any time in the past. At the moment, the United States is the top export market of Bangladesh as a single destination. The United States is also at the top as a source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country. Even as a source of remittances, the country is at the top. In the last five years, the economic partnership between the two countries has grown almost exponentially.

And so, in terms of exports, FDI and remittances, the US has the most soft power (commercial, intellectual or cultural influence) in the country’s economy. In this continuation, the US Embassy in Bangladesh has organized a three-day ‘US Trade Show’ as a co-sponsor with the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (Amchem) to expose the best products of the United States to the Bangladeshi market.

Those concerned hope that this trade show will advance US-Bangladesh economic relations. At the same time, it will give customers an idea about the various products made in the United States. Yesterday was the last day of this trade show organized at Sonargaon Hotel in the capital.

On the final day of the 28th US Trade Show, importers and affiliates showcased US-made products and services to the visitors as well as sold various products. The crowd of visitors and shoppers was noticeable since morning. However, most of the visitors are seen in the cosmetics and food stalls.

However, the popular Sisimpur stall was crowded with children. In addition, a crowd of students can be seen at the stall of the United States Embassy to learn about the details of the USA visa process. About 50 brands of products and services from the United States in various sectors, including cosmetics, energy, banking and financial services, food and beverages, participated in this three-day trade show.

While the fair is organized to showcase the products and services of American brands, several cosmetic, food and beverage stalls also sell and display their products. There was a discount of 10 to 25 percent on various cosmetics including one product and another product free at various cosmetics stalls.

Apart from this, free skin tests are also available at the show. The US company Remark’s stall showcased and sold products from four brands, Ciodil, Neore, Blaze and Skin & Harlan. They offer free skin check with screen analyzer with 20 percent discount on the occasion of the fair.

Asif Imran Ruben, deputy director of cosmetics and skin care of Remark HB Limited, said, We started our journey to Bangladesh almost two years ago, but we have been bringing products as an official brand for 6 months. Getting good response to match as new. The stall is always crowded.

We are offering free screen analysis with 20% discount on our products. Consumers will use cosmetics accordingly. He said, we are not looking at sales, we are participating in fairs for promotion. The product is selling more than expected.
Colormax USA is offering one free with any purchase of any of their cosmetic products on the occasion of the fair. Sadia Islam, a volunteer of the stall, said that the sale is more than expected even though it is an exhibition in the fair. Among the various items, our lipsticks are the best selling.
Head Beauty Brand Accounts Manager Ashraf Ali said, We are giving 20 percent discount on all products. Buyers are more interested in gels, lotions. Our company started its journey in Bangladesh last Thursday. The visitors also said that they are also getting the opportunity to check the products and services by getting so many American brands together under the same roof.
Many people are buying the products of their choice and taking advantage of the discounts given at the fair. Tanya Begum was looking at the cosmetics while coming to the fair. He said, I have been using American cosmetics for a long time. I try to come every year. One thing I like about coming is that different brands are available together.
In addition, I can also learn about new brands and products. The owner of US Food Mart. Aktaruzzaman Khan said, we are giving 10 percent discount on all our products including chocolates, peanuts, various cosmetics in the fair. The stall is crowded with customers all day. Among cosmetics, lotions and shampoos are the top sellers and chocolates are the top sellers among foods.
Burger King’s stall team member Russell Howladar said, “We are not selling at the fair.” We are offering 10 percent discount on one-time order if you come and register at the fair. We have 8 outlets in Dhaka. In addition, Coca-Cola, Mobil, Fortuna Green City, The Premier Bank, Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited, Eastern Bank Limited and several other companies exhibited their various services and products in the fair.
Chevron Bangladesh Corporate Affairs Communication Manager Sheikh Zahidur Rahman said, We have been working in Bangladesh since 2005. We are currently operating in three gas fields in the country. At the fair we are demonstrating the various steps and the entire process of gas extraction. Various brands participating in the fair said that more visitors than expected came to the fair.
Diagnosing diseases in diagnostic centers across the country with substandard and counterfeit reagents. Some unscrupulous traders are supplying these low-quality fake reagents for diagnosis to diagnostic centers for high profit. Even if the correct diagnosis is not made in these unstandardized reagents, helpless patients are constantly cheated.
And to solve this, America’s Alpha Scientific Designs is providing 100% quality products recognized by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In the trade show, the company’s Bangladesh distributor, Biochem International’s founder engineer Md. With Nazmul Islam. He told Inkilab that they are selling various types of re-agents.
Through these re-agents, people can do their own tests at home within 2-15 minutes. Md. Nazmul Islam said, diagnosis is being made with low-quality reagents of different countries in the market. So there are complaints of not getting the correct diagnosis results at various times. In this case, this re-agent of the United States gives a hundred percent guarantee.
In addition, he highlighted various aspects of the solar power project called ‘Solar America’ to solve the country’s electricity problems at the fair. Meanwhile, a seminar titled ‘USAID Support for Private Sector Growth’ was held yesterday. The seminar was held with the slogan US Business in Bangladesh in front.
It was informed in the seminar that the US Agency for International Development (USAID) will invest 1 billion or 1 billion dollars in Bangladesh in the next five years. This money will be given as a grant from the American government. The company has invested 8 billion dollars so far after the independence of the country.
USAID is supporting private investment growth, skill development, chemical-free vegetable production and export market development, revenue system development and overall export development in this country.
The director of the Economic Growth Office of the organization presented the main article in the seminar. Mohammad N Khan. N Khan said that to increase private and foreign investment in Bangladesh, the business environment must be improved. In this case, the use of digital technology should be increased.
Reduce business costs and time. New export sectors should be encouraged. USAID has been working to empower women in this country for a long time. Work continues to improve farmer training and market systems in renewable energy, non-toxic vegetable farming.
He said, trade facilitation is needed for business development in this country. Many challenges will come after Bangladesh’s LDC transition in 2026. Dealing with them, world-class trade opportunities should be used to exploit international trade opportunities. We are working with National Board of Revenue and Joint Stock Registrar Companies Office.
Exports should be diversified. Dr. Mohammad N Khan said that USAID has contributed to the agricultural development of Bangladesh. It has helped in the development of new varieties of various crops including paddy and increasing the capacity of ‘Bari’. The organization is helping to increase hilsa production. However, special attention should be paid to technology transfer for agricultural development.
It is essential to meet the challenge of ensuring food security. Before this, the United States Embassy also organized a seminar on US visas, higher education opportunities, USAID’s activities to develop the private sector in Bangladesh and intellectual property on Friday.