Bangladesh has immense potential to become a key player in the global economy, said US Ambassador DanW Mozenayesterday.

Mozena said Bangladesh and USA have a strong bilateral trade and business relation, and the USA is working together for the development of Bangladesh.

He spoke in a meeting with the Board of Directors of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and business community of the port city at the chamber's premises.

Mozena said Bangladesh has a very prospective shipbuilding, information, leather, readymade garment and pharmaceutical sector that can turn the country into a middle income country within this decade.

He said corruption and political instability are the main enemies of its economic development.

Inadequate infrastructure, power and gas crisis are the main challenges in this respect that can be faced by ensuring good governance under dynamic leadership, he added.

The United States is a massive trade partner of Bangladesh where 25 percent of its export was destined in 2010-11 fiscal year amounting to $4.23 billion, including 90 percent RMG, said Murshed Murad Ibrahim, president of Chittagong Chamber.

Though some Bangladeshi products get preferential treatment in the US market, he requested the ambassador to take steps for duty free access of all Bangladeshi products to the US market under the GSP programme.

Ibrahim emphasised making a roadmap based on mutual cooperation in respect of economic relation and its development.

The chamber's Senior Vice President Mahbubul Alam requested the US envoy to make US visa process easier for the businesspeople involved in trade with the country.

CCCI Vice President Md Nurun Newaz Salim and former commerce minister Amir Khosru Mahmud