Investment Summit: US tariff to have no negative impact, boost investment climate, says Bida chief Ashik
Bangladesh eyes significant progress around investment climate
Highlights
- The recent US tariff issue will not negatively impact Bangladesh
- US move gives added momentum to improve Bangladesh's investment climate
- Bangladesh aims to implement USTR-suggested reforms (customs, IP, anti-corruption)
- Both foreign and local investors will share insights on the investment climate
- Investment Summit kicks off on 9 April, aiming to attract global investors
- Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus will attend the main event
The US administration's tariff issue, which comes ahead of the Bangladesh Investment Summit, will have no negative impact but rather, the additional push would help Bangladesh create a better investment environment, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun said today (6 April).
"I don't see any negativity at all. We think significant progress can be brought in around the overall investment climate. Our competitors [countries] are with us on the same boat. Our travel direction will most likely be the same direction that they will travel to. I am not worried at all," he said today (6 April) while responding to a question at a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy.
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Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, Deputy Press Secretaries Apurba Jahangir and Abul Kalam Azad Majumder were also present at the briefing that highlighted the various aspects of the four-day Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025.
Bangladesh is set to host global investors and top executives as the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 kicks off tomorrow, aiming to spotlight the country's evolving investment landscape, poised for transformative opportunities and unprecedented growth.
Global investment leaders, executives and industry pioneers will engage in discussion as Bangladesh redefines the future of investment in one of the world's most dynamic markets.
Ashik referred to a report released by the office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) on the Bangladesh investment situation that suggested some basic reforms in areas of customs duty, corruption and intellectual poverty protection.
He said they are trying to carry out these reforms; in fact they wanted to see a major reform in the investment sector so that doing business in Bangladesh can become easier.
He said they will be able to carry out some reforms based on this momentum that will be good for Bangladesh.
"I personally think it [US push] is a good signal and taking this opportunity we will try to create a better investment climate in Bangladesh in the future," he said.
The main event will be held at a city hotel on 9 April where Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus will join.
"It's a collective effort. Private sectors and embassies [foreign missions in Dhaka] are equally involved," said the BIDA executive chairman.
He said Bangladesh will listen to foreign investors to know how they view Bangladesh investment climate and how Bangladesh can further improve the investment climate.
Since domestic investors are major drivers, leading businessman Syed Nasim Manzur will also speak as the government wants to know local investors' views.
Five companies and individuals will also be honoured for their contributions and one of the foreign investors will be offered an honorary citizen award.
