For Immediate Release: June 25, 2008
Contact: Matt Englehart   (202) 482-3809

Commerce Hosts Contract Signing Ceremony Between The Boeing Company and Biman Bangladesh Airlines Ltd.
Biman Purchases Four 737 Boeing Aircraft, Valued at Approximately $320 million

Washington – Under Secretary for International Trade Christopher A. Padilla hosted a contract signing ceremony today between the Boeing Company (Boeing) and Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Limited (BBA). The contract for the purchase of two Boeing 737-800 aircraft, plus purchase rights for two additional 737s, is valued at more than $320 million, with $288 million in U.S. export content.

“This signing highlights the important trade relationship between the United States and Bangladesh and is a positive step toward a stronger commercial relationship,” said Under Secretary Padilla. “Biman’s purchase of Boeing 777s and 787s in April was the largest capital investment purchase by Bangladesh. This 737 purchase will expand the BBA fleet with world-class aircraft and boost commercial ties between our two countries.”

In April 2008, BBA signed a contract with Boeing for the purchase of four 787-8s and four 777-300ERs, valued at over $2.1 billion, with $1.3 billion in U.S. export content. This contract represented the single largest capital goods procurement in Bangladesh’s history. During the signing of the 787-8 and 777-300ER contract, Biman unexpectedly announced its intention to also purchase 737s from Boeing to replace its short and medium range fleet.

Mr. Mahbub Jamil, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser and Chairman of the BBA Board of Directors; Dr. M.A. Momen, Managing Director and CEO of BBA; and Mr. Marty Bentrott, Senior VP of Sales of the Boeing Co., also attended the signing. Joining Under Secretary Padilla in representing the U.S. Government were Mr. Richard Boucher, Assistant Secretary of State-Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs; Rep. Jim McDermott; and Emily Willeford, Director of the Commerce Department’s Advocacy Center.

BBA is the national carrier of Bangladesh, serving 18 cities across two continents. Headquartered in Chicago, Boeing employs more than 160,000 people throughout the U.S. and in 70 countries.

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