International Trade Fair and Chamber Business Expo 2026 opens in New York

The fifth New York International Trade Fair and Chamber Annual Business Expo 2026 has begun in New York with international participation and business networking. The fair was officially inaugurated on the morning of September 17, local time, at the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), 199 Chambers Street, New York.

A large number of businessmen, entrepreneurs, investors, exhibitors, chamber representatives and professionals from the United States, Bangladesh and neighboring countries participated in the fair. The opening ceremony was addressed by Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed, MD, FASN, President of the Bangladesh-US Chamber of Commerce and Industries; Mark Jaffe, President and CEO of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce; and Kelly Loeffler, Administrator of the US Small Business Administration.

Kelly Loeffler said that small businesses and entrepreneurs play a vital role in economic growth and job creation. She emphasized the importance of creating new opportunities, expanding businesses, developing entrepreneurs, and increasing international business connections.

Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed, in his speech, highlighted the contribution of the Bangladeshi-American community in the United States. He said that although relatively small in number, the Bangladeshi-American community has made significant contributions to science, technology, engineering, education, business and social development. In this regard, he mentioned the contributions of successful scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs and professionals like Fazlur Rahman Khan, Salman Khan, Jawed Karim, Dr. Abul Hussam, Abdus Sattar Khan, Dr. M. Zahid Hasan and Syed Zaki Hossain.

Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed also emphasized on the mutually beneficial trade between Bangladesh and the United States. He said that the United States is an important market for Bangladeshi ready-made garments. At the same time, Bangladesh is expanding trade with various products and institutions in the United States. This fair is working as a bridge between the trade, investment, innovation and long-term economic cooperation of the two countries.

Mark Jaffe also highlighted the long-standing joint activities of the Bangladesh-US Chamber of Commerce and Industries and the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce. He said that the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce has 25 years of experience with the Chamber Business Expo, as well as five years of joint work with the Bangladesh-US Chamber. This event plays an important role in building relationships between business people from different countries and connecting small and emerging businesses with large organizations.

The fair was attended by local US businessmen, Bangladeshi-Americans, Bangladeshis, Indians, Chinese, Nepalese, Pakistanis, and businessmen and entrepreneurs from neighboring countries. The fair and various seminars provided them with opportunities to directly communicate and develop new business relationships.

One of the attractions of the fair was the direct communication and matchmaking activities of business organizations. Through this, opportunities for communication were created between potential buyers, investors, business partners and service providers. Various organizations showcased their products and services, gaining insights into new markets, forming business partnerships and discussing investment and trade cooperation.