‎Dr Yunus to meet top USA business leaders Sep 24

ফাইল ছবি

Staff Correspondent: Chief Adviser of the interim government Dr Mohammad Yunus will hold meeting with representatives of top USA companies at a hotel in New York on September 24, 2025, sources in Dhaka, New York and Washington said
‎
‎Dr Yunus will brief top US leaders about the investment environment in Bangladesh and the intention of the interim government to increase economic engagement with US companies on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
‎
‎Chevron’s President of Base Assets and Emerging Countries, Javier La Rosa, and  CEO of Boeing in 2025 is Kelly Ortberg are, among others, expected to meet Dr Mohammad Yunus
‎
‎The USA investment in Bangladesh gradually dropped in the recent years as coincidently political relations with the last Awami League government suffered during that period over human rights, democracy, rule of law and holding inclusive, participatory, transparent and credible polls.      
‎
‎USA invested 426.59 million in 201-22 FY, 146.40 million US dollars in 2022-23 and 89.28 million US dollars in 2023-24 FY.
‎
‎The UK ranked top position in 2022-23 and 2023-24 FYs  with 506.53 million and 507.89 million US dollars and invested 79.51 million US dollars.  
‎
‎Though USA lost top position to UK in the last two years in terms of investment in Bangladesh, the cumulative investment of USA companies is still high in Bangladesh, according to data of Bangladesh Bank, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA), Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority (BEPZA) and National Board of Revenue.         
‎
‎The major country-wise (Top) FDI Inflows (Net) in 2023-24 FY arranged in descending order of magnitude were: United Kingdom (UK): USD 506.53 million or 34.5%, People‟s Republic of China: USD 283.56 million or 19.31%, Korea, Republic of: USD 246.35 million or 16.78%, India: USD 132.83 million or 9.05%, Norway: USD 94.43 million or 6.43%, Singapore: USD 93.70 million or 6.38%, United States of America (USA): USD 89.28 million or 6.08%, Sri Lanka: USD 88.67 million or 6.04%, Hong Kong: SAR of China: USD 81.10 million or 5.52% and Malaysia: USD 55.15 million or 3.76% accounted most of the contribution of total FDI Inflows (Net), according to Bangladesh Bank data.
‎
‎Bangladesh saw a rebound in foreign direct investment (FDI) in the fiscal year (FY) 2024-25, with net inflows reaching $1.71 billion.
‎
‎The figure shows an increase of some 20 percent compared with the previous year, following a three-year low in FY24 amid a heated political climate centred on the national elections and subdued investor confidence, according to central bank data.
‎
‎The Bangladesh mission in Washington DC is working to set a meeting with the US Secretary of state Marco Rubio during CA's visit to NY
‎
‎Meanwhile, Chief Adviser of the interim government Dr Mohammad Yunus will go to New York to attend the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) during September 22-30 in New York, sources in Dhaka, New York and Washington said.
‎
‎This year’s theme is: ‘Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights.’
‎
‎Though itinerary of Chief Adviser Dr Mohammad Yunus has not been finalized yet, according to sources in Dhaka, Islamabad, New Delhi, New York and Washington, CA is most likely to visit NY during September 22-30, 2025 and meet Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
‎
‎The 80th UNGA officially opens on Sept 9, with the high-level general debate running from Sept 22 to 30 officially opens on Sept 9, with the high-level general debate running from Sept 23 to 29.
‎
‎Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam and Principal Coordinator for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) affairs at the office of Chief Adviser Lamiya Morshed, among others, will accompany the Chief Adviser.
‎
‎According to the provisional list, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will speak in the morning session of the 80th session of UNGA on September 26,while Chief Adviser of the interim government Dr Mohammad Yunus is expected to deliver his speech in the post lunch session of  session of UNG on the same day.
‎
‎Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif will also participate in the general debate on the same day, according to The Dawn, a Pakistan leading English daily.
‎
‎Dr Mohammad Yunus is expected to attend a special UN session on Rohingya issue at the United Nations GA on September 30 with United Nations Secretary General António Guterres.....
‎
‎The 80th UNGA promises to be one of the busiest diplomatic seasons in years, taking place amid Israel's war on Gaza, the Ukraine conflict, and the lingering aftereffects of the May India-Pakistan war. For Islamabad, the message is clear: the world cannot ignore South Asia’s flashpoints, and Kashmir remains the key to lasting peace.
‎
‎According to the provisional schedule, a special event on climate will be held on Sept 24, while a high-level meeting to commemorate and promote the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons will be held on Sept 26.
‎
‎However, sources earlier told The Indian Express that PM Modi's visit has not yet been finalized.
‎
‎Meanwhile, this year pro-Awmai League supporters staged protest during the Chief Adviser Dr Mohammad Yunus’ s visit to London and are likely to stage protest against  CA during his visit to NY as the interim government has imposed a ban on political activities on Awami League.
‎
‎As the national election of Bangladesh is set to be held in February,2026, Dr  Yunus is also expected to discuss with South Asian leaders on national and regional issues also.