The two-day International Investment and Digital Finance Conference 2026, held on April 17-18 in Washington, DC, concluded with a strong call for building trust, enhancing policy transparency, and strengthening global investment cooperation across South Asia.
Organized by the U.S.-based nonprofit In Search of Root Foundation (ISORF), the conference brought together global policymakers, economists, entrepreneurs, and diaspora leaders to discuss the rapidly evolving digital economy, investment trends, and international collaboration, says a press release.
Two Bangladeshi companies have been honored at the International Investment and Digital Finance Conference 2026 in Washington, USA.
The 2026 Excellence Awards were designed to recognize entities that have not only pioneered technological breakthroughs but have also institutionalized the transparency required to attract Western capital.
Presented by a delegation including Md. Sarwar Hossain of Bangladesh Bank and Hanif Channa of the Embassy of Pakistan, the awards delineated the leaders of the new regional economy.
A total of five organizations, including two Bangladeshi, recognized for their contributions to international trade and digital investment. The companies are bKash (Bangladesh), Trust Bank PLC (Bangladesh), Mastercard (United States), Greater New York Chamber of Commerce (United States) and Bank of Punjab (Pakistan).
In the opening session, Raihanul Islam Chowdhury, President of ISORF, described the conference as a significant step toward fostering global economic dialogue. "Digital finance is no longer the future-it is the present reality. Our goal is to build an inclusive, efficient, and interconnected global financial system," he said.
The session was moderated by Mark Jaffe, CEO and President of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce, who emphasized that sustainable investment depends on trust and coordination between public and private sectors.
Distinguished attendees included Karima M. Woods, Commissioner of the District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking; Sara Brooks, Director of Business and Financial Services at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership; Ambassador Harry K. Thomas Jr., Senior Fellow at the Jackson School of Global Affairs at Yale University; Keith Andrew Perry, representative of the DC Chamber of Commerce; John Danilovich, global business leader; Tarun Kishnani, business executive; Major General Md. Hakimuzzaman, Vice Chairman of Trust Bank PLC; and Ambassador Osman Siddique, former U.S. Ambassador, among others.
A special recognition was presented to Ambassador Osman Siddique, American politician, former U.S. Ambassador, and author based in Washington, DC, for his significant contribution to strengthening economic and diplomatic ties between the United States and South Asia.
