<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina extended an invitation to US business leaders to explore business opportunities in Bangladesh and partner with the country in its journey towards becoming a developed, prosperous, and smart nation by 2041.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“I invite you to invest in our many vibrant and high-potential sectors, such as renewable energy, shipbuilding, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, light and heavy machinery, chemical fertilizers, ICT, marine resources, and medical equipment, among others,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Prime Minister said this during her opening speech at a meeting with the US-Bangladesh Business Council at her official residence, Ganabhaban.</div><div><br></div><div>She expressed optimism that economic engagement through the US-Bangladesh Business Council would deepen in the coming days. “The United States will become our long-term partner in achieving our development goals through trade, investment, technology transfer, and by creating a smooth and predictable supply chain for mutual benefits,” she added.</div><div><br></div><div>While briefing reporters after the meeting, PM’s speechwriter M Nazrul Islam said that Sheikh Hasina informed members of US-Bangladesh Business Council that with her personal initiative after forming the government in 1996, US investment in Bangladesh increased manifold.</div><div><br></div><div>Nazrul Islam said that the US investors expressed high expectations regarding their investments in Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>“But they pointed out some challenges which needed to be addressed for more investments in Bangladesh,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>US-Bangladesh Business Council Chairman Steven Kobos delivered the welcome speech while the Council President Ambassador (retd) Atul Keshap gave the vote of thanks.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina hoped that the US-Bangladesh Business Council would continue to play a significant role in advancing trade and investment cooperation between the two friendly countries.</div><div><br></div><div>“Our focus is now on promoting economic and commercial relations with not only regional but also global partners, including the United States,” she said.</div><div><br></div>