Bangladesh targets $15bn in annual FDI through policy reforms

Bangladesh could draw up to $15 billion in foreign direct investment each year if it advances regulatory reforms and ensures effective implementation, according to the Foreign Investors' Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foreign Direct Investment Report 2026 unveiled in Dhaka today.

The report was launched at the Foreign Investors' Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foreign Direct Investment Conference 2026, themed "Driving Foreign Investment for Jobs and Prosperity in Bangladesh", alongside an Investors' Expo at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the day-long event as chief guest. The Foreign Investors' Chamber of Commerce and Industry organised the conference.

Nearly 600 delegates from Bangladesh and overseas attended, including senior government officials, policymakers, regulators, diplomats, development partners, multinational company executives, investors, business leaders and journalists.

Before inaugurating the conference, the prime minister visited the Investors' Expo and spoke with representatives of participating organisations.

The prime minister said the government aims to build a rules-based, globally integrated and private sector-driven economy.

"Our election manifesto provides a clear roadmap for economic transformation. We invite you not only to invest in Bangladesh, but also to become partners in realising this vision," he said.

"Bangladesh faces challenges, but also possesses significant strengths: a large and fast-growing domestic market, a young and industrious population, strategic location, and an elected government with strong public support. Together, these factors position Bangladesh for sustained prosperity," he added.

Highlighting investment climate reforms, the prime minister said the government is modernising legal and regulatory frameworks, strengthening investor protection, improving dispute resolution, and simplifying tax and VAT administration.

The government is also working to ease profit repatriation, strengthen the capital market, support start-ups, reduce bureaucracy, digitise public services, and improve ports, logistics, infrastructure and energy security, he said.

"Our government is determined to build a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2034," the prime minister said.

He said the government's first budget includes targeted incentives for renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, electronics, digital services, agro-processing, advanced textiles, healthcare, and logistics.

"We are positioning Bangladesh as a manufacturing hub, expanding and diversifying the ready-made garment sector, and investing in skills, knowledge and technologies for human capital development," he added.

Foreign Investors' Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Rupali Haque Chowdhury said quality foreign investment will be crucial for sustaining economic growth, creating quality jobs, and strengthening Bangladesh's global competitiveness.

"Strengthening constructive dialogue between policymakers and investors, and presenting practical recommendations to improve the investment climate, are the key objectives of both this conference and the report," she said.

Presenting the report's key findings, Dr Masrur Reaz, Chairman of Policy Exchange Bangladesh, said Bangladesh could attract $15 billion in annual foreign direct investment through policy reforms and their effective implementation.

The report outlines a roadmap to achieving the target and provides analyses, observations and recommendations intended to strengthen the investment climate and accelerate sustainable economic growth.

Discussions at the conference focused on improving Bangladesh's investment climate, boosting competitiveness and making it easier to do business. Participants also examined the opportunities and challenges of attracting more foreign investment as Bangladesh prepares to graduate from the least developed country category.

A high-level panel discussion was moderated by Mahdi Amin, Adviser and Spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office.

The panellists were Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, Minister for Commerce, Industries, Textiles and Jute; Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Planning; Rehan Asif Asad, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology; Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority and the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority; and Tanvir Shahriar Ghani, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Investment and Capital Market Affairs.

Standard Chartered Bangladesh and Robi Axiata PLC were platinum sponsors, while Nestlé Bangladesh PLC, Berger Paints Bangladesh Limited and Youngone Corporation were diamond sponsors.

LafargeHolcim Bangladesh PLC, Unilever Bangladesh Limited, British American Tobacco Bangladesh, Grameenphone PLC, Aygaz Bangladesh, ABB Bangladesh, Coca-Cola Bangladesh, Singer Bangladesh Limited and Omera LPG were gold sponsors.

Syngenta Bangladesh, RSGT Bangladesh, Marico Bangladesh Limited, MetLife Bangladesh, Citi NA and Philip Morris Bangladesh participated as silver sponsors.