BD trade fair opens in NY

A three-day Bangladesh trade fair kicked off in New York City on Friday (September 21), pledging further expansion of Bangladesh-made goods in the USA.

The "Rupayan NRB Global Convention and Bangladesh Trade Fair-2018" is being held at Jackson Heights in New York.

Muktadhara New York Inc. is the organiser of the trade fair.

Acting Editor of The Financial Express Shahiduzzaman Khan inaugurated the fair by releasing 47 balloons.

Some 30 local business groups, including realtors Rupayan Group and Purbachal American City are participating in the fair.

Speaking at the inauguration programme, Mr Khan said such a type of fair should be organised on a regular basis to promote business with the rest of the world.

"To my mind, this will create a new avenue for the country's trade and commerce," he said.

Later, Riad Hossain, vice president of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, opened the fair by cutting ribbon.

Commercial councillor of Bangladesh to Washington Akhtar Hossain, president of the Awami League USA unit Siddique Hossain, chairman of Muktadhara Foundation Ziauddin Ahmed, vice chairman of Rupayan Group Mahir Ali Khan Ratool, and director of the NRBC Bank Dr Nurunnabi were also present at the inaugural function.

The event coincided with the declaration of Bangladeshi Immigration Day announced by New York governor's office.

Earlier, founder of Muktadhara Foundation Biswajit Saha proposed announcing the day marking the Bengali speech by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on September 25, 1974 at the UN.

While speaking at the function, Mr Saha said Bangladeshis have earned their reputation in the USA within a very short time.

"The history of Bangladesh-born immigrants in the USA is not long, but in a very short time they have earned their fame in professions, trades and other areas."

"Not only in professions, they also emerged as successful entrepreneurs in the USA," Mr Saha said.

There was a cultural soiree on the first day of the fair performed by singers Rajib Bhattacharya and Dinat Jahan Munni.

A seminar on the development of Bangladesh was also held, which was moderated by Suvash Sinha Roy.

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