Ahammad Parvej Khan
The 5th New York International Trade Fair & Chamber Annual Business Expo 2026 officially opened on Thursday at the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), Chambers Street, New York.
The event brought together a broad gathering of entrepreneurs, investors, exhibitors, chamber representatives, and industry professionals from the United States, Bangladesh, and neighboring countries.
The inaugural ceremony featured key addresses by Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed, MD, FASN, President of the Bangladesh-US Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BUCCI); Mark Jaffe, President & CEO of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce; and Kelly Loeffler, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Their participation highlighted the shared focus on expanding international trade, driving small business growth, and accelerating entrepreneurship across international borders.
Kelly Loeffler emphasized the critical role small businesses and entrepreneurs play in powering economic growth and job creation. She stressed the importance of fostering new commercial opportunities, supporting business expansion, and enhancing international cooperation to empower emerging enterprises.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed praised the impact of the Bangladeshi-American community in the United States, showcasing achievements across science, technology, engineering, education, and commerce.
He expressed gratitude to Mark Jaffe and Amit Shah for the ongoing strategic partnership between the Bangladesh-US Chamber and the Greater New York Chamber.
Dr. Ahmed noted prominent figures such as Fazlur Rahman Khan, Salman Khan, Jawed Karim, Dr. Abul Hussam, Abdus Sattar Khan, Dr. M. Zahid Hasan, and Syed Zaki Hossain as examples of key contributions to American innovation.
He further underscored the mutually beneficial trade relationship between the U.S. and Bangladesh—noting that while the U.S. remains a key market for Bangladeshi ready-made garments, Bangladesh continues to expand its imports of U.S. products and services. He framed the Expo as a bridge for long-term economic partnership, innovation, and bilateral investment.
Mark Jaffe highlighted the Greater New York Chamber’s 25-year history of hosting the Chamber Business EXPO and celebrated its five-year collaboration with the Bangladesh-US Chamber.
He noted that the initiative builds vital connections between multinational enterprises, mid-market companies, and emerging small businesses.
A central highlight of the event is the Business-to-Business (B2B) Matchmaking program, connecting participants directly with potential buyers, institutional investors, and strategic partners.
Participating companies are showcasing products and services, exploring new markets, and negotiating cross-border trade deals.
The Expo program also features targeted seminars, including the Global Investment, Banking, Finance & Remittances Forum 2026, along with panel discussions covering AI and technology, strategic sourcing, supply chain management, non-resident Bangladeshi (NRB) investment, and venture development.
Additionally, six distinguished business and community leaders were honored at the International Business Excellence Awards 2026 for their outstanding contributions to economic development, entrepreneurship, and public service.
With widespread participation from the U.S., Bangladesh, and South Asia—including India, China, Nepal, and Pakistan—the Expo continues to serve as an international platform for cross-border commerce, investment, and long-term industrial collaboration.
Organizers extended their gratitude to all exhibitors, sponsors, delegates, and attendees for contributing to the success of this year's event.
