Representational Image.
By Kamal Uddin Chowdhury
DHAKA, Aug 06 , 2025 (BSS) – Despite braving numerous domestic challenges following the changeover of power last year, Bangladesh has experienced a big surge in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flow due to the government’s wholehearted efforts for creating investment friendly environment.
According to the data of Bangladesh Bank (BB), net FDI to Bangladesh rose to $864.63 million in the first quarter (January-March) of 2025 amid volatile political and economic situation across the world. The amount was 114.31 percent higher from $403.44 million notched in the same period of 2024.
The latest foreign investment was also 76.31 percent higher than in the October-December period of 2024, when the country received a net amount of $490.40 million.
Inflow of equity investments also rose significantly year-on-year to $304.38 million during January-March 2025, up from $188.43 million in January-March 2024.
Experts and economists observed that the figures represent a significant ‘vote of confidence’ in Bangladesh’s investment potentials despite ongoing macroeconomic challenges, including a volatile currency, high inflation, and rising external debt.
On the current investment scenario, Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud told BSS that the required investment now both in the public and the private sector is still less against the expectations while the biggest reason for this is that a fast solution to this is very tough.
Talking to BSS, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun said BIDA and BEZA are focusing on four main priorities: fast-tracking high-impact investment projects, expanding and improving One-Stop Services, solving problems faced by investors, and creating a strong pipeline of major investments.
“We’re putting in significant efforts to ensure that investors receive comprehensive support and the assurance that their investments in Bangladesh will be secured and profitable,” he added.
The BIDA chief highlighted the successes of the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 which was held from April 7 to 10, in the country noting that some 415 foreign delegates from 50 countries attended the event where investment proposals worth Taka 3,100 crore were announced.
He further said BEZA is maintaining follow-up communication with attendees to ensure progress along the investment pipeline.
To ensure balanced industrialisation, employment generation, and sustainable infrastructure development, BEZA is formulating a ‘National Master Plan’ focusing on a comprehensive three-phase implementation plan to develop economic zones across the country.
As par the National Master Plan of Economic Zones, BEZA is prioritising establishing 20 economic zones by 2046, strategically phasing the implementation for resource optimisation and to attract local and foreign investments.
According to the master plan, which is currently being formulated through financing from the World Bank, the phased approach helps mitigate challenges related to land acquisition, infrastructure readiness, and investor confidence.
The first phase, spanning from FY25 to FY30, will prioritise economic zones that are already under development or at an advanced planning stage.
Meanwhile, to attract more investment in the country, BIDA has launched its newly designed website which is playing an important role in facilitating the investment infrastructure of Bangladesh.
The new platform has given special importance to the potential investment sectors identified in BIDA’s FDI heatmap.
It has updated important services for investors, policy guidelines and information on designated focal points of various ministries and investment-related organizations. BIDA’s logo has also been redesigned.
BIDA has also launched a revamped version of its One-Stop Service (OSS) portal, aiming to further enhance service delivery for both domestic and foreign investors.
The OSS portal, initially introduced on February 24, 2019, at www.bidaquickserv.org, currently has integrated services from 35 government agencies, 12 banks, and 5 chamber associations, offering over 133 services for business organizations.
General Economics Division (GED) Member of the Planning Commission Dr Monzur Hossain said if more stability comes in the coming months having favourable political environment and economic environment, then investment would continue to rise further.
Administrator to the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Md Hafizur Rahman said that in order to address and overcome the barriers towards investment and expansion of business, the BIDA and BEZA have held some successful events over the months to woo more investment while the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has been trying its best to simplify further the taxation system.
In the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024–25, BEPZA Executive Director Abu Sayeed Md Anwar Parvez said that enterprises operating within BEPZA’s EPZs and Economic Zone invested $292.77 million in capital machinery, construction materials, and other fixed assets (excluding working capital).
The signing of 33 new investment agreements in FY 2024–25 marks a significant milestone for BEPZA, he added.
Parvez mentioned that investors from China, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the British Virgin Islands, Singapore, India, the United Arab Emirates, and Bangladesh entered into agreements to set up industrial units.
“The total proposed investment under these agreements is $497.48 million, with an estimated employment potential of 59,408 Bangladeshi nationals. These enterprises will produce a wide range of goods, including readymade garments, electronics, agro-based products, footwear, leather goods, packaging materials, tents, wigs, light engineering products, toys, and composite items,” he added.
He said once become operational, these investments are expected to accelerate the actual investment inflow in the current fiscal year (FY26).