Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muqtadir has addressed concerns regarding the recently signed bilateral trade agreement between Bangladesh and the United States, emphasizing that the pact is not set in stone and remains open to future adjustments.
Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Commerce on Wednesday (March 4, 2026), following a meeting with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur, the Minister stated that there is ample room for amendments, additions, or deletions to the agreement as needed.
No Reason for Alarm
Responding to public and business sector concerns regarding the agreement—which was signed on February 9, 2026—Minister Muqtadir urged stakeholders to avoid unnecessary anxiety. He clarified that the agreement should not be viewed through a binary lens of being “wholly negative” or “wholly positive.“
“Any contract has its own provisions for self-care,” the Minister noted. “If it becomes evident that a specific clause requires modification or change, there is always room for further negotiation.” He invited those with specific objections or concerns to formally present them to the government for review.
Strengthening Economic Ties
The Minister highlighted that the agreement is intended to broaden economic, commercial, and investment ties. With the U.S. being one of Bangladesh’s largest trading partners—boasting a bilateral trade volume exceeding $8.5 billion—the pact is seen as a strategic tool to strengthen these relations.
Regarding the recent visit of Assistant Secretary Paul Kapur, Muqtadir confirmed that the discussions touched upon broader economic cooperation, including:
-
Expanding American investment in Bangladesh.
-
Developing digital infrastructure.
-
Addressing non-tariff barriers to facilitate easier market access.
Focus on Future Collaboration
When questioned about the potential integration of military-related issues into the trade dialogue, the Minister clarified that military matters fall outside the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Commerce. He reiterated that the core objective of the current administration’s engagement with the U.S. is to protect Bangladesh’s long-term economic interests and foster a “win-win” situation for both nations.
Addressing the “visa bond” concerns raised by some business leaders, the Minister indicated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is handling the matter, emphasizing the government’s commitment to ensuring that business personnel and investors from both countries can travel and operate without unnecessary obstacles.
“We are monitoring the developing situation,” Muqtadir concluded, reaffirming the government’s openness to working with the United States to clear current investment bottlenecks and drive future economic growth.
