DHAKA: The much-talked-deal, Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum Agreement (TICFA) will be signed in Washington on Monday (November 25), which would help expand trade and investment between Bangladesh and the USA.

Confirming the matter, Commerce Secretary Mahbub Ahmed said, TICFA will be signed at 10am (local time) on November 25.

Acting Deputy United States Trade Representative Wendy Cutler and Bangladesh Commerce Secretary Mahbub Ahmed will sign Ticfa on behalf of their respective sides.

United States Trade Representative Michael Froman will preside over the signing of TICFA.

The first meeting under TICFA is likely to be held after the signing programme. According to the treaty, such meeting would be held once a year.

Diplomatic sources said that Commerce Secretary Mahbub Ahmed will lead the Bangladesh delegation.

On Friday, new Foreign Minister Abul Hasan Mahmud Ali it (TICFA) has to be signed because a decision had been taken in this regard earlier.

On June 17, the cabinet approved the draft of TICFA.

BDST: 1059 HRS, NOV 25, 2013