New York International Trade Fair, A Proud Showcase for Bangladeshi Diaspora

The fourth New York International Trade Fair and Chamber Expo 2025 is set to begin on Friday, September 26, at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square. This year’s theme is “Creating Economic Opportunities: Building a Better Future Together.” The event will bring together business leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and representatives from chambers of commerce worldwide, with a strong presence from Bangladesh, including members of the interim government, trade leaders, and expatriates.

The opening ceremony will begin at 9 a.m., with Bangladesh’s Interim Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain attending as the chief guest. The inauguration will be conducted by U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler, with Mark Jaffe, President and CEO of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce, presiding over the program.

A series of high-level discussions will follow. At 10 a.m., a special leaders’ forum will be held, featuring Bangladesh’s Adviser on Social Welfare and Women & Children’s Affairs, Sharmin S. Murshid, along with prominent figures such as BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan, philanthropist Syed Zaki Hossain, Italy-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce President Mohammad Irad Ali, UK Bangladesh Caterers Association President Oli Khan MBE, and several other international business leaders. The session will be moderated by Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed, President of the Bangladesh USA Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

At 11 a.m., a session on U.S. trade policy reforms will take place, with speakers from the BGMEA, Bangladesh Embassy, New York City Mayor’s Office, and global trade chambers. The afternoon will feature discussions on technology and innovation, a global recognition ceremony honoring dignitaries including Nepal’s Consul General Dahiram Bhandari, and a panel on the future of Bangladesh’s apparel sector.

One of the key highlights of the day will be the “Made in Bangladesh” Fashion Show at 5 p.m., expected to draw international attention to Bangladesh’s creativity and innovation in garments and design. Later, Bangladeshi Immigrant Day will be celebrated, with diaspora leaders reflecting on the contributions of expatriates to Bangladesh’s progress.

The event will conclude with a networking dinner and a cultural program showcasing music, dance, and global diversity.

Organizers say the expo is not only a trade platform but also a space where technology, culture, diplomacy, and the role of Bangladeshi expatriates intersect. Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed, convener of the Expo, emphasized that Bangladeshis abroad are no longer just known as migrant workers but as innovators, entrepreneurs, and global leaders. “Once, Bangladesh was represented abroad through songs and poetry. Today, the diaspora is bringing the nation to the forefront of the global economy,” he said.

Dr. Ahmed also called on expatriates to contribute $200 annually to support social services, education, and development initiatives in Bangladesh, particularly in the wake of reduced U.S. aid. He urged the Bangladesh government and banking regulators to remove barriers to remittance transfers, noting that unresolved issues continue to frustrate expatriates who want to contribute more to their homeland.

The New York International Trade Fair and Chamber Expo 2025 stands as a proud symbol of the Bangladeshi diaspora’s growing influence—transforming from cultural ambassadors into global economic leaders.