Bangladesh to buy Boeing jets to cut US tariffs, trade gap: Adviser

Business Report :

The interim government is planning to buy aircraft from Boeing as part of efforts to reduce tariffs imposed by the United States and narrow the trade deficit between the two countries, according to Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin.
He made the comments at a media briefing in Dhaka on Sunday, saying the purchase was linked to ongoing trade negotiations with Washington.
Speaking at a press conference, the adviser said Bangladesh had already negotiated down a 37 percent reciprocal tariff imposed by the United States to 20 percent and hoped to secure additional reductions through ongoing talks.
Bashiruddin said the government expects further reductions in US tariffs on Bangladeshi exports as negotiations continue ahead of a pending bilateral trade agreement.
The advisor also pointed to a shortage of aircraft in the national carrier’s fleet. He said Biman Bangladesh Airlines currently has 19 aircraft, but only 14 are operational, limiting passenger capacity.
According to the airline’s master plan, at least 47 aircraft will be needed by 2035, he said. The proposed deal with Boeing, however, would involve the purchase of 14 aircraft by that time.
He said the decision followed a techno-economic feasibility study comparing aircraft from Boeing and Airbus. A negotiation team led by Planning Advisor Wahiduddin Mahmud has been formed to conduct price talks with Boeing, which are still underway.
Bashir said Bangladesh currently runs a trade deficit of about $6 billion with the US, adding that US officials had raised concerns about the imbalance between Bangladeshi exports and imports.
He said Bangladesh earns more than Tk 1 trillion from exports to the US, while the planned aircraft purchase is expected to cost around Tk 300-350 billion, with payments spread over a long-term period that could extend up to 20 years.
The adviser noted that Bangladesh was continuing negotiations ahead of a deal expected to be signed on Feb 9, with the aim of further reducing tariffs.
He added that the government was also seeking zero tariffs on its main export, garments, as part of the talks.
On aviation reforms, Sheikh Bashiruddin said the government issued the Civil Aviation (Amendment) Ordinance 2026 and the Travel Agency Registration and Control (Amendment) Ordinance 2026 on January 1 to curb ticket syndication and blocking, bringing ticket distribution channels under licensing and accountability.
He said the strengthened oversight has contributed to a decline in airfares, citing the Dhaka-Jeddah route where ticket prices that reached Tk 105,000 in February last year are now available between Tk 53,000 and Tk 60,000.
The adviser also said Hajj airfares have been reduced by Tk 54,000 compared to the previous season, while Biman Bangladesh Airlines will transport Hajj pilgrims this year on scheduled Saudi-bound flights instead of charter services that previously returned empty.
Under the new arrangement, the adviser said Biman will carry regular passengers on return dedicated hajj flights, allowing the sale of low-cost tickets, including return seats priced at Tk 20,000, creating opportunities for expatriate workers to travel home ahead of the upcoming Eid holidays.