Bangladesh will seek to expand its access to the United States market while safeguarding national interests, Prime Minister’s Economic Affairs Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir said on Wednesday.
He made the remarks after a meeting with Brendan Lynch, Assistant Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, at the Finance Ministry in Dhaka.
Responding to questions on a recent trade deal with the US, Titumir said the agreement was aimed at strengthening bilateral relations rather than serving any single commercial purpose.
“Trade agreements involve many elements. We are focusing on improving relations between the two countries,” he told reporters. “We want to take this relationship to a higher level.”
He dismissed suggestions that recent engagements, including a reported deal involving Boeing, were rushed to implement the trade agreement, saying such steps should be viewed in the broader context of diplomatic and economic cooperation.
Titumir said Bangladesh is prioritising dialogue and expanding the mechanisms within trade agreements to better protect its interests.
“The United States is our largest export market. We want to diversify products and increase our presence there,” he added.
At the same time, he stressed the importance of maintaining balanced relations with other key partners, including Japan, China and South Korea.
“We are engaging with all major partners. The goal is to advance Bangladesh’s economic interests, create new markets and build capacity,” he said.
During discussions with the US delegation, Bangladesh raised issues related to specific sectors, including pharmaceuticals. Titumir noted that the US has strong capabilities in scientific research and said Dhaka is keen to expand cooperation in areas such as education and agricultural research.
The US delegation, led by Lynch, is visiting Dhaka from Tuesday to Thursday amid ongoing debate over the recently signed reciprocal trade agreement between the two countries.
The agreement, signed on February 9 under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, reportedly includes 131 conditions for Bangladesh and six for the United States.
The deal has drawn criticism from some quarters. A writ petition was filed with the High Court earlier this week challenging its legality, describing it as “unequal” and potentially harmful to national interests.
Officials, however, say engagement with the US remains crucial for trade expansion, and that negotiations will continue to ensure a fair outcome for Bangladesh.