Bangladesh Denies Pressure Over Additional Boeing Purchase

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir has dismissed speculation that Bangladesh is being pressured into purchasing additional Boeing aircraft from the United States. Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he emphasized that the government's approach is demand-driven and not influenced by external pressure.

The statement comes after US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor claimed that Bangladesh had committed billions of dollars to purchase more Boeing aircraft under a new deal between Dhaka and Washington. The initial order, valued at $3.7 billion, was signed in April this year for 14 aircraft to be used by Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

Kobir pointed out that expanding the country's fleet capacity is crucial for increasing revenue and developing Bangladesh into an aviation hub in the long term. He cited the example of Ethiopian Airlines, which has grown significantly through fleet expansion. 'We need to increase our fleet capacity. Otherwise, we cannot open up new routes,' he said.