Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said the United States is a friend of Bangladesh and if Americans invest in Bangladesh's special economic zones, they will be benefited.

The Minister said this while exchanging views with Peter D Haas, US Ambassador to Bangladesh, at the Secretariat on Thursday.

The United States is a big market for garment exports for Bangladesh. For the sustainable development of the readymade garments sector, Bangladesh has upgraded its labor law to world standard, said the minister.

"Safe and friendly working environments have been created in the factories. Building and electricity safety has been ensured," he added.

There are 157 factories certified by Lead Green Garments Factory of the USA in Bangladesh. Of the top 10 green factories in the world, nine are in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is now the second-largest exporter of readymade garments in the world.

Although the production cost of readymade garments in Bangladesh has increased, the buyers have not increased the price in comparison. It is necessary to ensure fair price of readymade garments in Bangladesh, Munshi added.

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Ambassador Haas said the USA is a development partner of Bangladesh. The development of Bangladesh is now visible. Bangladesh has already graduated from LDC and become a developing country. In the future, US economic and trade relations with Bangladesh will be further enhanced, he hopes.

Commerce Minister said Bangladesh is making efforts to sign trade agreements with various countries like PTA or FTA to create trade facilities.

Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce (Exports) Md Hafizur Rahman, Additional Secretary (FTA) Nur Mohammad Mahbubul Haque, Additional Secretary (Export-2) Md Abdur Rahim Khan were present.