Extensive business relationships between Bangladesh and the United States extend far beyond garment exports, encompassing billions of dollars in infrastructure investments and technology partnerships that have shaped the South Asian nation’s economic development over the past two decades. Muhammed Aziz Khan, founder and chairman of Summit Group, exemplifies how Bangladeshi companies have become significant purchasers of American technology and equipment while contributing to the reciprocal nature of bilateral trade.
Summit Group’s operations illustrate patterns where American companies have found substantial revenue streams in Bangladesh’s growing economy. General Electric has maintained extensive partnerships with Summit Group spanning more than a decade, with GE turbines powering multiple facilities, including Summit’s 335 MW Meghnaghat I and 341 MW Bibiyana II combined cycle power plants. GE holds a 20% equity stake in Summit’s Meghnaghat II power plant, demonstrating the depth of American corporate investment in Bangladesh’s energy sector.
Billion-Dollar Equipment Purchases Drive Manufacturing Employment
Summit Group and other Bangladeshi power companies have invested heavily in American manufacturing, purchasing turbines and related equipment worth hundreds of millions of dollars for power generation projects. General Electric has supplied gas turbines and related auxiliary equipment for multiple Summit facilities, creating sustained demand for American manufacturing over several years.
Aviation partnerships similarly contribute to bilateral trade volumes. Biman Bangladesh Airlines has acquired Boeing aircraft through deals worth over $1.27 billion, including orders for Boeing 777-300ER and 787 Dreamliner aircraft delivered between 2008 and 2020. Additional aircraft purchases continue under consideration, with Biman evaluating expansion plans that could include more American-manufactured aircraft for international route development.
Energy Infrastructure Partnerships Create Long-term Revenue
Aziz Khan has positioned Summit Group as a key player in energy cooperation between both countries. Summit operates Bangladesh’s second floating storage and regasification unit while pursuing additional LNG infrastructure projects that could create significant energy trade relationships. Summit signed a preliminary agreement to supply 1.5 million metric tons of LNG annually starting from October 2026, though this contract was later cancelled by Bangladesh’s interim government.
“We look forward to using GE’s advanced HA technology for the first time in Bangladesh to generate affordable and reliable electricity,” said Muhammed Aziz Khan when announcing the Meghnaghat II project.
GE’s involvement extends beyond equipment supply to include equity partnerships in major power projects. Summit awarded GE an EPC contract for its 583 MW Meghnaghat II project at approximately $390 million, with GE providing turnkey solutions including gas turbines, heat recovery steam generators, and 20-year maintenance agreements.
Technology and Space Cooperation Expands Partnership Scope
Business partnerships have expanded into cutting-edge sectors, including space technology and satellite communications. Bangladesh recently approved Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service, with interim government officials securing commercial operations within three months of negotiations. This technology partnership could potentially bring high-speed internet connectivity to rural and underserved areas across Bangladesh.
Starlink services launched in Bangladesh in May 2025, with monthly packages starting at 4,200 taka ($35) and a one-time equipment cost of 47,000 taka. Such developments illustrate how American technology companies continue finding new markets in Bangladesh’s expanding digital economy.
Financial Market Integration Facilitates Investment
Summit Group’s Singapore incorporation approach has facilitated deeper integration with American financial markets and development institutions. International Finance Corporation has provided substantial financing for Summit’s expansion, helping attract additional American corporate partnerships while creating access to competitive financing for infrastructure projects.
American technology companies have found reliable partners in Bangladeshi firms like Summit Group, while Bangladesh has gained access to advanced manufacturing capabilities and operational expertise that have accelerated its economic development. Such partnerships create interdependence that extends beyond immediate trade figures to encompass long-term infrastructure development projects benefiting both economies.
“We have signed memorandums of understanding with large Indian companies. This will be the cheapest form of electricity for Bangladesh, cheaper than even natural gas-based power,” Khan explained regarding cross-border energy plans.
Khan’s business model demonstrates how Bangladeshi companies have become substantial contributors to American export revenues across multiple sectors. Summit Group operates 14 power plants with more than 2,000 MW capacity, making it Bangladesh’s largest independent power producer. Such scale creates recurring demand for American equipment, services, and technology across power generation, aviation, and emerging technology sectors.
Bilateral trade relationships have evolved from simple equipment purchases to complex partnerships involving equity investments, technology transfer, and long-term service agreements. American companies benefit from sustained revenue streams while Bangladeshi firms gain access to advanced technologies that support rapid economic development. Interdependence between American suppliers and Bangladeshi infrastructure companies continues deepening as both countries pursue expanded cooperation across multiple sectors.
