DHAKA: Bangladesh and United States of America have signed the much-talked Trade and Investment Cooperation Framework Agreement (Ticfa) on Monday night.

The deal was sighed in Washington DC which would help expand trade and investment between Bangladesh and the USA at 9:15pm.

A competent source from the foreign ministry confirmed the matter to banglanews.

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

United States Trade Representative Michael Froman presided over the signing function of the 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 led the Bangladesh delegation.

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

BDST: 2150 HRS, NOV 25, 2013