IBFB Business Tour to USA raised hope of enhanced bilateral trade between Bangladesh & USA
IBFB Delegation, headed by Mr. Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury, Founding President of IBFB (3rd from left) called on the Hon’ble Finance Minister Mr. AMA Muhit (center) at his secretariat office on Saturday, 25 May 2013. Mr. Hafizur Rahman Khan (3rd from right), President-IBFB, Mr. Azfar Ali, Director-IBFB (2nd from left), Mr. Mohammad Ali Deen, Director-IBFB (left), Mr. Jamil Asadul Haque, Member-IBFB (right), and Mr. Rakebul Islam Bhuiyan, Member-IBFB (2nd from right) are also in sight.
In view of exploring new business opportunities and giving a boost up to the existing business relationship, a 10-Member Business Delegation of the International Business Forum of Bangladesh (IBFB) departed for USA via Turkey for a 3 weeks visit from 30 May to 20 June 2013.
The delegation, headed by Mr. Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury, Founding President of IBFB, and Former Mayor of Chittagong & Former Member of Parliament, was comprised of Mr. Mohammad Ali Deen, Director IBFB, Chairman, M/S Deen Impex, and Managing Director, Ultimate Property Development Ltd, Mr. Mohammed Anowarul HaqueDirector IBFB, Proprietor, Rupali Agencies, Mr. A K M Ehsanul Hoque, Member IBFB, CEO, Mate International, Chairman, People’s Radio Md. Masud Hossain, Member IBFB, Director, Peoples Radio Ltd., Core Spun Apparel Ltd. Mr. Jamil Asadul Haque, Member IBFB, Managing Partner, Haque International, Style World Stitches, Mr. Rakebul Islam Bhuiyan, Member IBFB, Managing Partner, Organic Autos , Mr.Payer Mohammed, Member IBFB, Managing Director, Progressive Hatcheries and Poultry Farm Ltd., Mr. Mohammed Abu Alam, Member IBFB, Proprietor, Rupali Steel and Mr. Imran Uddin Sagar, Member IBFB, Director, Progressive Hatcheries & Poultry Farm Limited.
Prior to the visit the delegation made a courtesy call on Hon’ble Finance Minister Mr. AMA Muhit on 25 May 2013 at his Secretariat Office. The Minister requested them to raise some important issues for Bangladesh such as continuation of GSP facility for Bangladesh RMG (Ready Made Garments) in different forums and meeting with representatives of Federal Government. The Minister said, Bangladeshi apparels are subject to 24% import duty in the US market as against 5% they levy on garments and fabrics imported from developed country like France. He opined that the discrimination and threat to GSP withdrawal can by all means be called illogical, unjust and unfair.
The Ambassador briefed the delegation about US business & investment climates, meetings & receptions organized with different Federal Department, business chambers, business associations and counterparts. He wished the delegation a successful trip to be resulted in different bilateral trade and business relationships and transaction between Bangladeshi and US companies and business counterparts.
Mr. Hafizur Rahman Khan, IBFB President briefing the journalists on IBFB’s Business Tour to USA. Mr. Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury, Founding President, Md. Omar Shafayat Kauser, Vice President, Ms. Priti Chakraborty, Director, Mr. Ershad Hussain Rana, Director, Mr. Payer Mohammed, Member of IBFB & Md. Abdus Salam, Executive Director are on sight.
On this occasion, IBFB also organized a Journalists Meeting on Thursday, 30 May 2013 at 0400 PM at its Banani Office in Dhaka. Mr. Hafizur Rahman Khan,President of IBFB presented a written statement in the meeting. He detailed the journalists about the aims, objectives and detailed schedule of meetings and discussions with different Federal Govt. Dept, chambers, associations etc. in the USA. Later, the leader of the delegation Mr. Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury gave answers to the questions of the journalists. He has reiterated that the image of Bangladesh Market and goods, especially for the RMG is under question now. In this context, the business tour of IBFB Delegation to the USA will certainly play a positive role in regaining the good images of the country.
On 04 June 2013, the IBFB Delegation had a meeting with US Commercial Service of Federal Government in Los Angeles. Mr. Rachid Sayouty, Director of US Commercial Service of Federal Government in Los Angeles led the US side in the meeting, where Mr. Bobby Hines, International Trade Specialist was also present. In the meeting Bangladesh delegation emphasized on continuation of GSP facility and other steps to help Bangladesh RMG sector, and also advocated for opening an office of US Commercial Service in Bangladesh.
On the same day, the delegation also had a meeting with Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commercewhere Mr. Carlos J. Valderrama, Senior Vice President Global Initiative was present. Los Angeles Chamber opined that more and more business delegations from Bangladesh should visit USA. During the discussion the delegation requested US Business people to visit Bangladesh in place of China, as the cost of the product will be cheaper in Bangladesh because of cheap labor. It may be mentioned that the chamber is considering a proposal of partnership with IBFB.
In the same evening of 4th June, the delegation also attended a reception followed by dinner organized byUS-Bangladesh Business Forum (USBBF). More than 100 businesspersons and entrepreneurs having very important positions in US business circle were present in the reception. Mr. Firoz Fakhry, Founding President, US-Bangladesh Business Forum (USBBF) and Mr. Manzoor Chowdhury, President, US-Bangladesh Business Forum (USBBF), greeted the Bangladesh delegation with warm reception. Mr. Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury apprised the meeting about various research and advocacy works performed by IBFB. The US-Bangladesh Business Forum (USBBF) has expressed their interests to work with IBFB on different global trade, business and economic issues including research and policy advocacy in future.
On 07 June 2013, the delegation had a very fruitful meeting with Richardson Economic Development Partnership, Texas Richardson Chamber in Texas. Mr. Michael Skelton, Director, Mayor's Office of International Business Richardson Economic Development Partnership was present in the meeting. They discussed very friendly about potential bilateral trade relations and investment opportunities in some business field of Richardson such as telecom, wireless, software, computer gaming, data centers and financial/insurance services.
On 09 June 2013, the Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce in USA hosted a reception in honor the delegation at Downtown Dallas, Texas, where the president of the chamber Mr. Masud Chowdhury presided over the reception. In order to work together in the areas of business research & advocacy, and also to enhance bilateral trade between Bangladesh & USA, the Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce USA expressed their sheer interests in signing a Memorandum of Understanding in very near future.
On 10th June 2013, the IBFB delegation had a meeting with US Chamber of Commerce in Washington DC, where AMCHAM President Mr. Aftabul Islam from Dhaka also participated.
The team also had a meeting with the staff members of the Foreign Relation Committee at US Congress on June 11th.H.E. Mr. Akramul Qader, Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA hosted a dinner in honor of the delegation at the evening of 10th June. The delegation attended a meeting with Center for Strategic International Studies (CSIS), where Ambassador Karl F Inderfurth, former US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs, Ernest Z. Bower, Senior Adviser and Sumitro Chair for Southeast Asia Studies etc. were also present among others.
IBFB delegation’s meeting with US Department of Commerce. Ms. Veloree, Director for South Asia led the US side, while Mr. Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury, IBFB Founding President headed
On 12th June 2013 morning, the IBFB delegation had a meeting with Center for International Private Enterprise, CIPE. At the afternoon, they attended a meeting with US Department of Commerce,where a group of 8 Directors level officials led by the Director for South Asia Ms. Veloree including Deputy Director of Dept of Commerce Mr. Jonathon and other representativeDirectors from Dept of States,Dept of Agriculture, Dept of Investment, Director for Indian Affairs, Director for Supply Chain etc. were also present. In the meeting with Dept of Commerce, Mr. Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury, on behalf of IBFB delegation, highlighted the importance and different aspects of Bangladesh market and economy such as cheaper labor cost, huge market size etc. that can be a catalyst for the business and economy of USA. He also emphasized on having an independent US Commerce Center at Dhaka and importing skilled human resources and technically expert professionals from Bangladesh, and also demanded continuing GSP facilities for Bangladeshi RMG sector in the USA. The delegation briefed the US side about recent emerging business sector like Shipbuilding and invited them to inform and encourage US ship importers to import ships from Bangladesh. The US side mentioned that after a long period of time they received such a private delegation from Bangladesh and they appreciated the efforts of IBFB.
In the meeting with Dept of Commerce, Mr. Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury, on behalf of IBFB delegation, highlighted the importance and different aspects of Bangladesh market and economy such cheaper labor cost, huge market size etc. that can be a catalyst for the business and economy of USA. He also emphasized on having an independent Commerce Center at Dhaka and importing skilled and technically expert professional human resources from Bangladesh, and also demanded continuing GSP facilities for RMG sector for Bangladesh. The delegation briefed the US side about recent emerging business sector like Shipbuilding and invited them to inform and encourage US ship importers to import ships from Bangladesh. The US side mentioned that after a long period of time they received such a private delegation from Bangladesh and they appreciated the efforts of IBFB.
On 14 June 2013, Jackson Heights Bangladeshi Business Association (JBBA) in New York has provided a grand reception to the IBFB Delegation where they expressed sheer interests to work in partnership with IBFB to promote business climate, enhance and expedite different bilateral trade and business relationship between USA and Bangladeshi counterparts, explore new business opportunities, joint ventures, augment joint policy reforms advocacy in USA & Bangladesh. Mr. Mohammad Tarek, Secretary of Jackson Height Bangladeshi Business Association (JBBA) organized the meeting, where Mr. Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury was present as the Key Speaker in the Reception. The US business community has expressed its keen interest to further expand trade links with Bangladesh. The trade leaders of America are also interested to open up new avenues of cooperation for further strengthening the commercial activities with their Bangladeshi counterparts. Mr. Chowdhury requested the JBBA leaders to give emphasis on raising important Bangladeshi business issues such as continuation of GSP facilities for Bangladeshi RMG, investing in emerging sectors such as Shipbuilding, Agriculture, Physical Infrastructure & Engineering, Information Technology etc., opening an office of US Commercial Service in Bangladesh etc. in various meetings, seminars and discussions in different US forums and decision making levels.
The New York & North America based Chittagong Samity located in New York in organized a grand reception in honor of Mr. Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury on 16th June where he was honored with Lifetime Honorary Member of the Chittagong Samity.
On 17th June, a round table discussion session was organized by US Export Assistance Center of US Department of Commerce. Ms. Carmela Mammas, Director of US Export Assistance Center facilitated the discussion session. Among others, Andy Jassin, Managing Director of Jassin Consulting Group; Steven Frumkin, Dean of Jay & Baker School of Business and Technology, Fashion Institute of Technology;Andrew Rotondi, Chief Operating Officer of Dynamic Worlwide Logistics; Jerry Scupp, Vice President of Fashion Center BID etc. were present. The key issue of the discussion was to find out ways of expanding Bangladeshi RMG products in US Market through awareness, advocacy, improving labor standard & environment, establishing an international standard fashion institute in Bangladesh etc.
