BIDA hosts ‘Gateway to Growth: Invest in Bangladesh’ seminar in Istanbul
The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) has hosted an investment seminar in Istanbul, entitled 'Gateway to Growth: Invest in Bangladesh', bringing together Turkish businesses, industry leaders and development partners to explore strategic investment opportunities in Bangladesh.
The high-profile event, held at Delta Hotels by Marriott, Istanbul Levent, attracted participation from over 30 Turkish companies currently investing in, or exploring entry into, the Bangladeshi market.
Organised in collaboration with the Embassy of Bangladesh in Türkiye and the Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (MÜSİAD), the seminar was supported through technical cooperation from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), World Bank Group.
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In his keynote presentation, Nahian Rahman Rochi, Head of Business Development at BIDA, highlighted investment prospects in textiles, electronics and renewable energy.
"There has never been a better time to enter Bangladesh", he said. "Macroeconomic indicators — from exports and currency stability to inflation — are at their most favourable levels in recent years. The government has rolled out 32 targeted reform initiatives to facilitate business entry. And for those exploring Bangladesh for the first time, BIDA provides comprehensive support through its One Stop Service platform."
Ashik Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of BIDA, addressed Turkish business leaders and engaged with them in a question-and-answer session.
Executives from Turkish firms operating in Bangladesh shared their experiences. Barış Alparslan, Chief Financial Officer of Arçelik (owner of Singer Bangladesh), underscored the company's investment in building a resilient local supply chain and workforce. Ercüment Polat, Assistant General Manager (Sales) at Aygaz, discussed the firm's expansion in Bangladesh, noting BIDA's One Stop Service support, a growing workforce of over 200 employees and a nationwide network reaching nearly three million people.
The seminar also featured remarks from Muhammet Huzeyfe Güllüoğlu, Board Member of MÜSİAD, and Muhammad Mizanur Rahman, Consul General of Bangladesh in Istanbul, both emphasising the increasing economic alignment between the two countries.
The event formed part of a broader strategic mission led by Ashik Chowdhury, which includes senior officials from BIDA, the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and representatives from the banking sector.
On 7–8 October, Government-to-Business (G2B) meetings were held with major Turkish conglomerates across priority sectors. BIDA is also working to establish long-term partnerships with Turkish industry associations such as TÜRKONFED, to institutionalise private-sector cooperation between Bangladesh and Türkiye.
