US ambassador, commerce minister discuss Sylhet development, investment

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen and members of his delegation met Commerce, Industries, Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir at a breakfast meeting in Sylhet today (7 July), where they discussed the region's development, investment opportunities and the contribution of Bangladeshi expatriates in the United States.

The meeting, held at a hotel in the city, focused on Sylhet's development, the role of Bangladeshi expatriates, particularly the Sylheti diaspora in the US, the potential of the tourism sector, digital technology, and ways to expand bilateral trade and investment.

Speaking after the meeting, the commerce minister said the two sides exchanged views on Sylhet's rich cultural heritage, the prospects of its tourism industry and opportunities to accelerate the region's development by drawing on the United States' technological expertise.

They also held discussions on strengthening Bangladesh-US relations, expanding trade and economic cooperation, increasing US investment in Bangladesh, particularly in the Sylhet region, and further enhancing people-to-people ties between the two countries.

The minister expressed hope that such meetings and exchanges would help deepen the longstanding friendship between Bangladesh and the United States while promoting stronger economic cooperation and shared development.

Among those present at the meeting were lawmaker MA Malek, Tahsina Rushdir Luna, Emran Ahmed Chowdhury and Mufti Abul Hasan, Sylhet City Corporation Administrator Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury, Sylhet Development Authority Chairman Rezaul Hasan Qayes Lodhi, Acting Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet Pinki Saha, and Sylhet Metropolitan BNP General Secretary Emdad Hossain Chowdhury.