Govt steps up efforts to attract required investment for $1 trillion economy: Shama Obaed

The government has intensified efforts to attract foreign investment as it seeks to transform Bangladesh into a $1 trillion economy by 2034, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said on Sunday (26 July).

Speaking to reporters after a closed-door roundtable titled "Roadmap for Trade, Growth and Economic Diplomacy-2026: The Capital Dialogue" at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she said several countries are already in discussions with Bangladesh over potential investments in different sectors.

"Many investors are already contacting the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) and working with both Bida and the Commerce Ministry," she said, adding that China, Japan, the United States and several other countries have expressed interest in investing in Bangladesh.

The roundtable was attended by Finance and Planning Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, alongside senior government officials and policymakers.

Shama Obaed said the government is placing particular emphasis on the blue economy, describing it as one of the country's priority sectors for future investment.

"We want various European countries to invest in the blue economy," she said, adding that Bangladesh sees significant untapped potential in marine resources and plans to hold more policy dialogues to identify challenges and attract investment.

She said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is prioritising economic diplomacy in line with the government's broader policy agenda, with discussions focusing on ways to strengthen investment, trade and long-term economic growth.

The government is also developing a new economic model to address current financial challenges through higher investment, administrative reforms, industrial revitalisation and long-term agricultural transformation, with the goal of building a $1 trillion economy by 2034, she said.

According to the state minister, efforts are under way to restore economic momentum and build a more resilient and competitive economy.

The discussion follows the Bangladesh Trade and Investment Conference 2026, held in Dhaka on 13 June, where government officials, diplomats, development partners and business leaders explored strategies to strengthen trade, attract foreign direct investment and enhance economic resilience.

The conference, jointly organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Bida under the theme "Navigating Risks – Unlocking Resilience," focused on trade and investment policy, financing, market access, industrial competitiveness, artificial intelligence, creative industries and sports, as Bangladesh prepares for graduation from least developed country (LDC) status.