The Bangladesh Economic Summit 2025 opened on Saturday morning, November 29, at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, launching a full day of discussions on financial governance, policy priorities and the country’s broader economic trajectory. The Daily Bonik Barta has organized the conference each year since 2020, and this year’s theme centers on “Future Economic Roadmap and Political Commitment.”
The opening session began at 10 a.m. in the Grand Ballroom of Pan Pacific Sonargaon, moderated by Dewan Hanif Mahmud, the newspaper’s editor and publisher. Policymakers, politicians, researchers, entrepreneurs, financial-sector leaders, and development partners filled the hall.
Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur presided over the inaugural session, which focused on business, investment and the macroeconomy. The panel included AK Enamul Haque, director general of the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS); AK Azad, chairman and managing director of Ha-Meem Group; Mohammad Jahangir Alam, president of the Bangladesh Steel Manufacturers Association and chairman of GPH Group; and Masrur Arefin, chairman of the Association of Bankers Bangladesh and managing director of The City Bank.
Senior leaders from major political parties will take the stage through the remaining sessions. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will chair the second session, where BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury will deliver the keynote address on “Democratizing the Economy.”
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman will lead the third session, with former senior secretary Md Shafiullah delivering the keynote on “Justice in the economy.”
The closing session will be chaired by Hossain Zillur Rahman, former commerce adviser to the caretaker government. Speakers include Badiul Alam Majumdar, secretary and chief executive of Citizens for Good Governance (SHUJAN); Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party; and Zonayed Saki, chief coordinator of Ganasanghati Andolon. Their discussion will explore “The Economic Aspirations of July Uprising.”
Throughout the summit, business leaders, bank chairmen, chief executives, economists, and other national figures are expected to offer their views in open discussions.