Bangladesh net FDI inflows rise 39.36% to $1.77b in 2025
The rise was mainly driven by higher reinvested earnings and intra-company loans
Bangladesh's net foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows increased by 39.36% in 2025 to reach $1.77 billion, up from $1.27 billion in 2024, according to the latest FDI survey by the Bangladesh Bank.
The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida), in a press release issued today (14 May), said the rise was mainly driven by higher reinvested earnings and intra-company loans, indicating continued engagement by existing foreign investors in Bangladesh.
It said that the reinvested earnings rose by 318.25% to $434.10 million in 2025 from $103.79 million a year earlier, while intra-company loans increased by 25.68% to $781.68 million from $621.96 million the previous year.
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Equity capital remained broadly stable, increasing by 1.84% to $554.64 million from $544.64 million in 2024, despite a weaker global new-investment environment in which greenfield project announcements declined by 16% in 2025, the release added.
Bida also said Bangladesh's FDI performance in 2025 was recognised as a recovery in a report released by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on 28 April.
"Foreign direct investment (FDI) into Bangladesh rose to $1.77 billion in 2025 after several difficult years marked by foreign-exchange pressures, global shocks and domestic uncertainty," the UNCTAD report said.
The report also noted that the rebound shows "that investors remain engaged even under tighter conditions".
Bida Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury said, "We welcome our critics. Scrutiny helps us stay sharp and perform better. Globally, announcements of greenfield projects fell in 2025, and developing economies felt that pressure more sharply. Against that backdrop, Bangladesh's 39.36% increase in net FDI is an encouraging signal."
"The absolute volume is still below our potential. But the direction matters, especially in a post-transition year. With current global conditions still uncertain, we are using this period to strengthen readiness so that when the tide turns, Bangladesh is better placed to compete for serious capital," he added.
The government's ongoing efforts to improve ease of doing business through deregulation and investment climate reforms are expected to encourage investors and make it easier for businesses to invest, operate and expand in Bangladesh, the release said.
Bida, Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza), Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority (Mida) and the Public Private Partnership Authority (PPPA) are jointly implementing a 180-day action plan focused on infrastructure development, investment facilitation and investment development to improve the country's business climate, it added.
