Bangladesh mulling deal with NASA on non-military space exploration: Bida chief
Once it is signed, we will be able to share in detail, he says
Bangladesh is exploring the possibility of signing an agreement with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) focused on non-military space exploration, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun said today (6 April).
"Once it is signed, we will be able to share in detail," he said while responding to a question at a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy.
Ashik said there will be more rooms for having bilateral meetings, and there will be a corner for signing MoUs and agreements keeping eyes on future investment. "We need to fix the global narratives on Bangladesh and improve the ease of doing business significantly."
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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 kicks off tomorrow, aiming to spotlight the country's evolving investment landscape, poised for transformative opportunities and unprecedented growth, reports UNB.
"Foreign investors need a clearer understanding of Bangladesh's economic landscape and growth potential. This summit will not only showcase investment opportunities but also highlight the significant reforms undertaken to create a more business-friendly environment," Ashik said.
The summit 2025 is set to be a milestone event, reinforcing the country's commitment to economic progress, investment-friendly policies, and long-term growth, he added.
Delegations from China, the UK, the US, Singapore, South Korea and India are among the global participants.
Baroness Rosie Winterton, UK's Trade Envoy to Bangladesh, Jarno Syrjälä, Under-Secretary of State for International Trade at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman & CEO of DP World, Óscar García Maceiras, CEO of Inditex, Mike Orgill, Senior Director at Public Policy & Government Relations of APAC, Uber, Kyeongsu Lee, Vice President of SAMSUNG C&T, Jon Omund Revhaug, Executive Vice President and Head of Telenor Asia, Han Jun-seokt, CEO of Giordano Korea are among the key guests, according to the BIDA.
On April 7, a big group of investors will visit the Korean Export Processing Zone and Mirsarai Economic Zone in Chattogram. On April 8, the foreign participants will visit the Japanese Economic Zone at Araihazar.
On 23 March, the BIDA executive chairman said Bangladesh wants to give a "genuine view" of Bangladesh to the global investors, telling true stories of investment opportunities that Bangladesh offers.
"It's very difficult to give investors a genuine view and tell the true stories until we bring them physically. We want to give the investors a real picture through the Bangladesh Investment Summit," he said.
Referring to remote research made by investors, Ashik said what the investors know about Bangladesh remotely without their physical presence is not the right picture of the country as the ground reality is different.
Responding to a question, the BIDA Executive Chairman said the investors are coming to Bangladesh, keeping in mind the "short-term disruption."
Ashik said they want to give a picture to the global investors that it is a different environment and the long-term view is still very positive.
He said there will be dedicated rooms for three political parties- BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and National Citizen Party - so that the investors can get a view on the political front from the representatives of these political parties.
A cultural segment will also be there to present Bangladesh before the foreigners showcasing its rich cultural heritage.
On 10 April, multiple breakout sessions will cover key investment sectors such as digital economy (led by Citi NA & UNDP), textiles (HSBC & BGMEA), agriculture and agro-processing (Dutch Embassy & LCP), and healthcare (Inspira, EBL & Sajida Foundation).
The day will also feature a matchmaking session and a roundtable discussion on global investment best practices.
Key partners for the event include UNDP, FCDO, Grameenphone, the World Bank, and FICCI, highlighting the collaborative efforts to drive foreign direct investment (FDI) in Bangladesh.
Ahead of the Bangladesh Investment Summit, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said, "There has never been a better moment to explore the extraordinary investment opportunities in Bangladesh."
He said Bangladesh has undergone profound transformations with a forward-thinking investment climate.
"We are committed to ensuring a level playing field for all our investors," said the chief adviser in a message to global investors.
"The summit is a gateway for investors to have more data-driven insights. Come and witness the potential that Bangladesh holds for you. And join us in shaping the future of investment in one of the world's most dynamic economies," he added.
The chief adviser further said he is looking forward to welcoming the global partners and investors in new Bangladesh.
