PM pledges support as AmCham seeks economic reforms, policy predictability

The American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) has urged the government to accelerate economic reforms and improve policy predictability as it seeks to attract a further $5bn in US investment over the next five years.

An AmCham delegation led by its president, Syed Mohammad Kamal, met Bangladesh’s prime minister, Tarique Rahman, at the Secretariat in Dhaka on Tuesday, where the business group reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening economic ties between Bangladesh and the United States.

AmCham said its member companies had invested more than $5bn in Bangladesh over the years and collectively contributed more than 20 per cent of the country’s tax revenue. The chamber said it was prepared to help facilitate and mobilise an additional $5bn in investment through existing members and prospective US companies.

The appeal comes as the government seeks to consolidate economic reforms and position Bangladesh as a more attractive destination for foreign capital following a period of political and economic uncertainty.

AmCham welcomed measures under the government’s FY2026-27 reform package aimed at making investment easier, including time-bound approvals and licensing, implementation of a single-window system, digital tax and VAT administration, simplified customs procedures and improvements in the repatriation of capital and profits.

But the chamber stressed that reforms would need to be implemented effectively and supported by greater long-term policy certainty, particularly in sectors where foreign investors are considering major, long-term commitments.

“Predictability, efficient governance and constructive dialogue with the business community” would be essential to strengthening investor confidence, AmCham said.

The group also highlighted the growing importance of the digital economy, welcoming Bangladesh’s enactment of the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) and National Data Governance Act (NDGA). It called for effective implementation, stronger cybersecurity, regulatory clarity and greater readiness for artificial intelligence.

AmCham also described the US-Bangladesh Reciprocal Trade Agreement framework as an opportunity to move the bilateral relationship beyond traditional market access and towards a broader economic partnership.

Such a partnership, it said, could encompass technology and artificial intelligence, digital innovation, cloud computing and cybersecurity, healthcare and life sciences, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and financial-sector modernisation.

The chamber proposed establishing a Digital Economy Advisory Forum or taskforce and a Public-Private Competitiveness Council bringing together government officials, local businesses, foreign investors and AmCham representatives. The proposed bodies would identify regulatory bottlenecks, help implement reforms and provide feedback on measures affecting investment.

The organisation, which has worked to promote Bangladesh-US commercial relations since 1996, said it wanted to act not simply as an advocate for American businesses but as a strategic partner of the government.

It offered to provide investor intelligence and business feedback, connect Bangladesh with US corporate decision-makers and promote the country’s investment opportunities and economic reforms internationally.

Rahman welcomed AmCham’s continued engagement and said Bangladesh had entered a new phase of economic transformation.

The prime minister said the government’s priority was to ensure effective implementation of ongoing reforms while strengthening investor confidence through predictable policies, efficient governance and dialogue with the private sector. He also assured prospective foreign investors of the government’s support and expressed a desire to deepen cooperation with AmCham.

The meeting was attended by the commerce minister, Khandakar Abdul Muktadir; the prime minister’s adviser on posts, telecommunications and information technology, Rehan Asif Asad; and the executive chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun.

The AmCham delegation also included senior executives from MetLife Bangladesh, Philip Morris Bangladesh, Excelerate Energy Bangladesh, NATco Bangladesh, Avery Dennison, ShopUp and AmCham Bangladesh.

The chamber separately invited Rahman to attend the opening of the 30th US Trade Show, jointly organised by AmCham Bangladesh and the US embassy in Dhaka, as chief guest.