News Flash
DHAKA, April 29, 2025 (BSS) – Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed today said that the USA has shown a positive notion over its reciprocal tariff issue with Bangladesh.
“They (USA) are very positive over the tariff issue,” he said while replying to a question after chairing two separate meetings on the Advisers Council Committee on Economic Affairs and the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase at the Cabinet Division Conference Room at Bangladesh Secretariat today.
Dr Salehuddin said that during the different engagements with the US side, they have suggested Bangladesh to import LNG under long-term contract.
Regarding the US tariff issue, he said that it was Bangladesh’s concern as the IMF and the World Bank usually lend some billions of funds.
But, many issues are related with the trade relations with the US, he added.
The Finance Adviser said that they have discussed with the US side on how to minimize the trade gap. “We’ve told them that we’ll set up bonded warehouse for importing US cotton, the USA also wants to engage with us in long-term contract for exporting LNG … but, we’ll have to look into the cost of freight.”
Besides, he said the USA is interested in exporting electronic goods and generators to Bangladesh as well as supporting Bangladesh in establishing LNG terminal, and in eastern refinery modernization.
Dr Salehuddin said following the US tariff issue, the government has already taken some decisions.
“We’ve already engaged the ministry of labour for improving the labour standards. We’ve also approached the USA for importing LNG and electronic goods,” he added.
Regarding the separation of the NBR, he said that the issue is already settled.
“But, now the implementation is a challenge. There will be two secretaries in two divisions …revenue policy division and revenue management division,” he added.
During his USA tour, he said there were some issues on negotiations. “On the whole, the discussions were centered to continue the disbursement of two pending tranches by the IMF,” he said.
Alongside the engagements with the World Bank, the tour was on the whole successful as there were meetings with the IMF, ADB, OPEC Fund, IOM, IFC, US Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He said they also held meetings with the US Energy Division, State Department, Labour Department, Agriculture Department and Treasury Department. “On the whole, there were multifaceted engagements and all of them cordially accepted us and hold discussions. All of them were aware of Bangladesh and I think all the meetings were successful,” he said.
Regarding his meeting with the IFC, the Finance Adviser said they expect more fund from IFC in the country’s private sector in the coming days to fuel private-sector led growth.
