South Asian Business news and information

Earlier today, I visited the US Trade Show 2007 in Sheraton Hotel in Dhaka. This show is sponsored jointly by American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Bangladesh and the US Embassy. 58 companies and organizations are taking part in the 3 day long (14 February-16 February) trade show. Today was the second day of the show and a sizable crowd visited the show. The main goal of US trade in Bangladesh is to promote American products and services to the Bangladeshi consumers.

The New Nation reported:

A total of 58 exhibitors occupying 101 booths are participating at the trade show sponsored jointly by American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Bangladesh and the US Embassy.

According to the sponsors of the show, there is a US$2724.7 million trade gap between Bangladesh and the United States. Bangladesh exports totaled $3031.8 million in 11 months from January to November 2006 while US exports were $307.1 million during the period.

They said the environment of investment is good in Bangladesh and the trade relation between Bangladesh and USA is extensive.

In the US Trade show, I talked to several persons. I took a short interview of Loye who is a counselor at the US Embassy here in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Here it is:

What are you doing at the trade show?

Loye: This booth represents the American Center which is providing information about studying in the United States. I am here to answer the questions that people may ask about applying for education visa to go the United States.

How should Bangladeshi students apply so that they have better chance of getting accepted?

Loye: There are 3 key factors they need to keep in mind while applying for a visa. First is that they need to be accepted in any university. They need to have i-20 to prove that they have applied and been accepted. The second thing is that they need to show that they have the finances and the resources to pay for their education in the United States. Typically for a visa interview, we like to see particularly that they have enough money to pay for the first year upfront. And the third thing they need to demonstrate is that they have strong ties to Bangladesh so that they intend to return to Bangladesh after they finish their studies.

What kind of response are you getting from the show so far?

Loye: We have got very positive response. We had quite a few people come and take some materials from the American Center.