Bangladesh is accelerating efforts to deepen its trade partnership with the United States, with a renewed focus on both aviation and agricultural imports.
Speaking to reporters, Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman confirmed that the country urgently needs new aircraft and is ramping up earlier plans. “We need new aircraft urgently, possibly within the next couple of years,” Rahman said. “Initially, it was 14 planes — now it’s 25,” he added, referring to a previous deal to acquire planes from a US-based manufacturer.
The expansion of the aircraft order comes as part of broader efforts by Dhaka to strengthen economic ties with Washington, especially amid concerns over lingering US tariff measures introduced during the Trump administration. In a strategic shift to ease trade tensions and diversify imports, Bangladesh is significantly increasing its purchase of key US commodities.
A landmark agreement signed earlier this month will see Bangladesh import 700,000 tonnes of wheat annually from the United States over the next five years. The deal complements rising imports of US soybean oil and cotton, which are vital for Bangladesh’s food security and textile industry — a cornerstone of its export economy.
Officials in Dhaka believe the deepening of economic engagement with the US will not only secure essential resources but also open up new trade and investment opportunities. The push reflects Bangladesh’s broader economic strategy to solidify global partnerships and safeguard its development momentum.
Melissa Enoch
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