International Trade Expo Opens in New York, Bringing Global Business Leaders Together: 5th New York International Trade Fair & Chamber Annual Business Expo 2026 Highlights Trade, Investment, Entrepreneurship and Cross-Border Business Matchmaking
By Progga News Desk | New York, USA:
The 5th New York International Trade Fair & Chamber Annual Business Expo 2026 officially opened Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), located at 199 Chambers Street in Manhattan.
The international business event brought together business owners, entrepreneurs, investors, exhibitors, chamber representatives, professionals, and industry leaders from the United States, Bangladesh, India, China, Nepal, Pakistan, and other countries.
The expo focused on promoting international trade, expanding investment opportunities, strengthening business-to-business relationships, and creating new avenues for long-term economic cooperation among participating countries.
The opening ceremony featured remarks from Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed, MD, FASN, President of the Bangladesh–USA Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mark Jaffe, President & CEO of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce; and Kelly Loeffler, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Their participation underscored the importance of entrepreneurship, small-business development, international commerce, and stronger connections among business communities across borders.
In her remarks, U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler emphasized the important role small businesses and entrepreneurs play in economic growth and job creation. She highlighted the importance of creating new opportunities for businesses, supporting expansion, and strengthening resources for entrepreneurs.
Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed, in his opening remarks, highlighted the significant contributions of the Bangladeshi-American community to the United States, particularly in science, technology, engineering, education, business, and community development.
He expressed appreciation to Mark Jaffe and Amit Shah for the longstanding partnership between the Bangladesh–USA Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce.
Dr. Ahmed noted that although the Bangladeshi-American community is relatively small in size, its contributions to American society and the economy are substantial. He cited the achievements of prominent individuals, including Fazlur Rahman Khan, Salman Khan, Jawed Karim, Dr. Abul Hussam, Abdus Sattar Khan, Dr. M. Zahid Hasan, and Syed Zaki Hossain, as examples of the community’s accomplishments.
He also emphasized the importance of mutually beneficial trade relations between the United States and Bangladesh. The United States remains an important market for Bangladeshi ready-made garments, while Bangladesh continues to expand its commercial relationships with American products, companies, and businesses.
Dr. Ahmed described the expo as an important bridge for advancing trade, investment, innovation, and long-term economic cooperation between the two countries.
Mark Jaffe, President & CEO of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce, spoke about the chamber’s 25 years of experience organizing its Chamber Business EXPO and its five-year collaboration with the Bangladesh–USA Chamber.
He noted that the expo created opportunities for businesses from different countries to build relationships and encouraged cooperation among established companies, small businesses, and emerging entrepreneurs.
One of the expo’s major highlights was its Business-to-Business (B2B) Matchmaking program. The initiative provided participating businesses with opportunities to connect directly with potential buyers, investors, business partners, and service providers.
Through these meetings, companies were able to present their products and services, explore new markets, identify potential partners, and discuss investment and commercial opportunities. The matchmaking sessions also created a platform for businesses to develop new relationships and explore cross-border partnerships.
The expo also featured a series of seminars and business sessions addressing major issues in global commerce and entrepreneurship. Among the key programs was the Global Investment, Banking, Finance & Remittances Forum 2026, which focused on investment, banking, finance, and remittance-related issues.
Additional discussions and networking sessions covered international trade, technology and artificial intelligence, strategic sourcing and supply chains, nonresident Bangladeshi (NRB) investment, and entrepreneurship development.
Another significant part of the event was the International Business Excellence Awards 2026, which recognized six distinguished individuals for their contributions to business, entrepreneurship, economic development, and community service.
The honorees were:
* Syed Zaki Hossain — Community leader and Founder & Chairman, Modern Packaging Inc., New York, United States.
* Liaquat Hossain — Founder, Advance Pharmaceutical Inc., United States.
* Abubakar Hanif — Chairman and Chancellor, WUST, and Founder & Chief Executive Officer, PeopleNTech.
* Kazi Helal Ahmed — Founder, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, International Finance and Development Corporation (IFDC), United States.
* Golam Faruk Bhuiyan — Founder & Chairman, GFB Group, United States.
* Dr. Arifur Rahman — Chairman, Premier Bank PLC, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
The awards recognized the recipients’ contributions to business advancement, entrepreneurship, economic development, and society.
The expo also provided Bangladeshi and U.S.-based companies with an opportunity to showcase their products and services to international audiences. Participating businesses engaged directly with buyers, investors, professionals, business partners, and representatives of various organizations from the United States and other countries.
Organizers said the event created opportunities to explore new markets and expand international trade, while also increasing visibility for Bangladeshi businesses and products in the global marketplace.
A special feature of the program was the publication of Global Business Magazine, featuring articles by distinguished individuals from around the world. The publication was produced under the editorial leadership of Mr. Nurul Baten, Chief Coordinator of International Trade Fair 2026, Executive Member of BUCCI, and Editor-in-Chief.
On behalf of the organizers, Biswajit Saha, Executive Member and Founding Member of the Bangladesh–USA Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BUCCI), expressed sincere appreciation to all participating business owners, exhibitors, sponsors, distinguished guests, chamber representatives, organizations, and visitors.
He thanked everyone for their active participation and cooperation in making the International Trade Fair & Chamber Business Expo 2026 a meaningful platform for international business networking and commercial collaboration.
With participation from business communities in the United States, Bangladesh, and other countries, the expo served as a platform for trade promotion, investment discussions, networking, business meetings, and long-term partnership development.
Through its exhibitions, seminars, business sessions, and matchmaking opportunities, the event highlighted the potential for international commerce and cooperation while creating new opportunities for businesses to connect, expand, and explore emerging markets.
