Pipeline of investors forms to increase foreign investment: Salehuddin

Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed today (2 June) said the interim government is forming a pipeline of investors to increase foreign investment.

"By this, the investment commitment will be converted into real investment through systematic tracking. Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) has already published the FDI Heat map," he said.

The adviser said this while unveiling the proposed national budget for FY2025-26 through a pre-recorded speech aired through Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar.

Besides, Salehuddin said: "We are paying special attention to encourage the implementation of investment projects through public-private partnership in the potential sectors of the country. For this purpose, I propose to allocate Tk5,040 crore as a public-private partnership fund in the next fiscal year."

He said the management and operation of Private Export Processing Zones (EPZ) have been entrusted to the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), and the long-running land-related complications in Korean EPZ have been resolved. 

Ten economic zones -- National Special Economic Zone, Srihatta Economic Zone, Jamalpur Economic Zone, Moheshkhali Economic Zone-3 (Dhalghata), Bangladesh Special Economic Zone, Chinese Industrial Economic Zone, Sabrang Tourism Park, Chandpur Economic Zone-1, Kushtia Economic Zone and Kurigram Economic Zone -- are expected to be operational in the next 10 years, he added.

To increase private investment in the country, the adviser said it is important to create a conducive environment. 

"We are committed to identifying the existing obstacles to investment and removing them as soon as possible. Bangladesh Investment Summit-2025 was organised in April this year to highlight the benefits of investment in Bangladesh, in which about 450 foreign investors participated," he added. 

He mentioned that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of $150 million was signed with a Chinese company, and $110 million of foreign investment was received by the start-up company "ShopUp". 

In addition, an agreement has been signed with NASA's Artemis program under which Bangladeshi youths will be able to participate in space exploration with 53 countries of the world, including the United States of America (USA).

Important services from Bida are being provided online or through telephone to provide quick and easy services to the investors, he added. 

He said the One Stop Service (OSS) portal currently provides a total of 134 services from 43 organisations. 

Steps have been taken to map all the investment services of the country across the sectors and include the OSS. 

Additionally, he said, Bangladesh Single Window (BSW) has been launched under the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to provide application, processing and services on a single platform to improve the business environment.

The BSW has started its activities through integration with different certificates, licences and permit issuing agencies, including Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA), he added.