Investment promotion agencies receive $1.85b in proposals in eight months

Highlights

• Bida, Beza, Bepza, Hi-Tech Park Authority, Bscic are the key receivers
• 3,500 organisations submit investment proposals
• Foreign companies account for $0.65b of total proposals
• Advanced technical textiles, pharma, agro-processing sectors draw highest attention

Bangladesh's investment promotion agencies have collectively received approximately $1.85 billion in investment proposals from both domestic and foreign entities over the first eight months of 2025. 

Around 3,500 organisations submitted these proposals, which the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) is now working to convert into actual investments.

The proposals were submitted to key government bodies, including Bida, the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza), the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (Bepza), the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority, and the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (Bscic).

Nahian Rahman Rochi, head of business development at Bida, confirmed the figures to TBS, noting that foreign companies account for $0.65 billion of the total, with the remainder coming from local sources. Bida alone received roughly $1.0 billion in proposals, while Bepza received $0.5 billion.

Sectoral interest and origin

The highest volume of proposals was concentrated in the sectors of advanced technical textiles, pharmaceuticals, and agro-processing. Some proposals were also received for the information technology (IT), medical devices, and Application Programming Interface (API) sectors.

Geographically, China accounted for the largest share, contributing approximately 20% of the total investment proposals. Other key countries include the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Japan, and South Korea.

Focus on conversion and regulatory reform

Rochi said, "We are currently working step-by-step to convert this proposed investment into an actual investment. We maintain constant communication with prospective investors. We are gradually resolving the obstacles that arise in the investment process."

He continued, "We are prioritising solving the issues faced by those who are already investors here. This is crucial because if we don't resolve the problems of those who have already built factories, new local and foreign investment will not come. That is where our focus lies."

The Bida's head of business development added that the authority began internal reforms at the start of the year. Efforts are underway to simplify work permits for foreign workers, and the "BanglaBiz" platform has been launched to provide services and information from all of Bangladesh's investment development agencies, he said.

Furthermore, Rochi said, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has partially launched the Bangladesh Single Window system, with monthly meetings being held with the NBR to expedite its implementation. "Other key reform initiatives include working on free trade zones and initiating a move to grant partial exporters temporary duty-free bond facilities against bank guarantees to boost export earnings and diversification."

Addressing investor concerns, he said that they are actively working to ensure the reliable supply of gas and electricity, which is the primary demand of businesses. "We have undertaken long-term plans. The government is creating a long-term energy strategy, and there will be significant improvement in this area by the beginning of next year."