Jamaat to Review US Trade Agreement, Says Leader

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has announced that it will review the trade agreement signed with the United States during the tenure of the caretaker government, adopting the positive elements while discarding the rest. The announcement was made following a high-level discussion with Paul Kapur, the US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, the Deputy Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Jatiya Sangsad, confirmed that the discussions primarily focused on the US-Bangladesh trade pact. “We will carefully examine the agreement, retain the aspects that benefit the nation, and reject elements that do not serve the country’s interests,” he said.

The meeting took place on Thursday morning at the residence of Brent Christensen, the US Ambassador to Bangladesh, where the Jamaat delegation held a courtesy meeting with Mr Kapur at 9:00 am. Taher elaborated that the dialogue covered a range of issues, including the political and economic climate conducive to foreign investment. Jamaat emphasised to the US delegation that the current political situation provides a positive environment for investors.

In addition, Mr Kapur inquired about the party’s intended role in parliament. Taher stated that Jamaat aims to play an active and constructive role in the Jatiya Sangsad, advocating for measures that protect public interest while supporting the government on beneficial initiatives. The possibility of nominating a Deputy Speaker from the opposition was also discussed, with Jamaat responding positively to the proposal.

The meeting was attended by key members of the Jamaat leadership, including Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan, Central Executive Committee member Saiful Alam Khan, and Foreign Affairs Special Adviser to the Amir, Mir Ahmed Bin Qasem.

Key Meeting Details

The discussions underscore Jamaat-e-Islami’s intention to engage pragmatically with international partners while maintaining a selective approach to agreements, supporting measures aligned with national interest, and ensuring active parliamentary participation.