The US Chamber of Commerce’s US-Bangladesh Business Council (USBBC) has announced the appointment of Steven Kobos, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Excelerate Energy, as Chairman of USBBC’s Board of Directors.

Kobos assumes the larger role of Board Chair as "Bangladesh advances its strategic trajectory towards becoming a major global economy," and as the USBBC recognizes 50 years of US-Bangladesh diplomatic relations, said the US Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday.

Nisha Biswal, USBBC President and Senior Vice President for South Asia, International Strategy and Global Initiatives at the US Chamber of Commerce said, “We are delighted that Steven will serve as the new Chairman of the U.S.-Bangladesh Business Council Board of Directors."

Steven’s leadership and commitment to strengthening US-Bangladesh economic ties and his belief in the promise and potential of Bangladesh as global economic power make him the ideal leader for the Council, she said.

"As President and CEO of Excelerate Energy, Steven brings unparalleled expertise in energy cooperation, resiliency, infrastructure, and security across the global energy ecosystem. I am confident that under his stewardship the US-Bangladesh Business Council will grow to new heights and continue to advance the US-Bangladesh economic corridor," said Biswal.

“Chairing the US-Bangladesh Business Council Board of Directors is a privilege and responsibility that I am honored to accept,” said Steven Kobos.

“Excelerate Energy is proud to join USBBC member companies that serve as bridges for prosperity and collaboration between the United States and Bangladesh. I look forward to leading the Council’s role in furthering bilateral commercial cooperation, inclusive economic growth, and global security. I wish to thank Nisha Biswal, Ambassador Atul Keshap, and Sid Mehra for their leadership and for this unique opportunity to partner with government and business leaders in both countries," said Kobos.

Steven Kobos currently serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer for Excelerate Energy.

He was appointed to this role in 2018 after serving in an integral capacity within the company as a board member and counsel for the previous 11 years.

Kobos is proud to call Excelerate Energy his home and to lead a team that embodies the company’s core values of stewardship, accountability, improvement, and leadership.

Read more: Collaboration with Bangladeshi startups can be 'powerful tool' to grow economic ties: US Chamber

Under his leadership, Excelerate Energy successfully listed on the New York Stock Exchange in April 2022.

Kobos has served on the Board of the U.S.-Bangladesh Business Council since its launch and co-chaired the U.S.-Bangladesh Energy Task Force.

Excelerate developed Bangladesh’s first LNG import terminal, Moheshkhali Floating LNG Terminal (MLNG) in 2018.

The company’s two floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) in the Bay of Bengal provide approximately 20 percent of Bangladesh’s daily natural gas supply. 

In July 2021, Excelerate collaborated with USBBC Board companies Chevron, HSBC, and MetLife and U.S.-based NGO Project C.U.R.E. to airlift critical medical equipment and supplies to aid Bangladesh’s medical colleges in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The US Chamber of Commerce's US-Bangladesh Business Council is a business advocacy platform to advance policy priorities of the U.S. business community in the bilateral trade relationship with Bangladesh.

Read more: US-Bangladesh Business Council to be launched April 6