|| Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today urged US companies to invest in Bangladesh with confidence and pursue long-term business opportunities, saying such investments would create jobs, expand trade as well as further deepen the economic ties between Bangladesh and the United States.  “Our six-month-old visionary government wants US companies to invest in Bangladesh and expand their businesses. We welcome your capital, technology, expertise and global experience,” he said, assuring American investors of the government’s all-out support and a more predictable and investment-friendly business environment. The Prime Minister made the call while exchanging views with a 50-member delegation of the US-Bangladesh Business Council at his office at Bangladesh Secretariat here this morning.He said the government is committed to simplifying regulations, introducing business-friendly budgetary measures and pursuing liberal economic and fiscal policies to create a favourable environment for investment.“Our goal is to build a private-sector-led, rules-based and globally connected economy. We want American businesses to be our partners in this transformation,” said the Prime Minister.Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Excelerate Energy Oliver Simpson and President of the US-Bangladesh Business Council and Senior Vice President for South Asia at the US Chamber of Commerce Ambassador (retd) Atul Keshap led the delegation.Highlighting the investment potential, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh offers significant opportunities for US businesses in energy, infrastructure, technology, digital services, finance, agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing and logistics.He said the government is working to strengthen protection of investors, simplify regulations, improve tax and VAT administration, facilitate profit repatriation, reduce bureaucratic complexities and digitise public services.“We are also improving infrastructure, ports, logistics and energy security, while encouraging investment in renewable energy and modern technologies,” he said.The Prime Minister urged US companies to invest with confidence and build their businesses in Bangladesh for the long term, saying such investment would create jobs, expand trade and investment and further strengthen economic ties between Bangladesh and the United States.“Let us grow together and build a prosperous, competitive and globally connected Bangladesh,” he said. The Prime Minister said Bangladesh welcomes US investment through direct investment, joint ventures, public-private partnerships and consultancy services, and wants to build a long-term and mutually beneficial economic partnership with the United States.“We want to expand bilateral trade and further strengthen Bangladesh’s export-import relations with the United States. At the same time, initiatives have been taken to align our economic partnership with the broader strategic interests shared by the two countries,” he said.Referring to the government’s target of building a $1 trillion economy by 2034, Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh is taking initiatives to turn the country into a hub of manufacturing and investment through targeted incentives in priority sectors and investment in skills and technology.“Our objective is not merely to attract foreign direct investment, but to build a lasting and mutually beneficial economic partnership,” he said.The Prime Minister said he himself had started his professional career as a businessman before entering politics, giving him an understanding of the importance of sound policies and a favourable environment for business expansion.“My message today is very simple,” he told the visiting business leaders. “Consider the entire government as your partner. We are here to listen to you, respond to you and cooperate with you,” he added. Tarique Rahman expressed hope that those meetings had given the visiting business leaders a clearer understanding of the government’s priorities and the country’s investment prospects.“I wish all of you a successful visit. My government is ready to extend all possible cooperation to make it successful,” he said.Earlier, the delegation held meetings with several ministers, state ministers, advisers and senior government officials on investment and business opportunities in Bangladesh.