Invest Bangladesh's 180-day plan draws $1.3b pipeline; $400m in motion

Invest Bangladesh has reported significant progress under its 180-day investment plan, with the country's prospective investment pipeline reaching $1.3 billion, of which more than $400 million has moved to the investment-decision or implementation stage, alongside major advances in ports, economic zones, energy, PPPs and investment facilitation.

The update, released at the close of the 180-day plan announced on March 16, covers 20 initiatives under three pillars – robust infrastructure, investment facilitation and investment development – across 14 of the 16 work streams identified in the original plan, said a press release issued today (22 September). 

Invest Bangladesh Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun said the plan was designed to improve the conditions in which investment takes place through better infrastructure, more responsive services and a stronger pipeline of investment opportunities.

"Some changes are already in place; larger projects will take longer to deliver. We committed to report back after 180 days, and this update shows both the progress made and the work ahead," he said.

Under the infrastructure pillar, groundbreaking has been completed for the $ 550 million Laldia Container Terminal, while the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone has an expected investment pipeline of $ 1.3 billion, including an active pipeline of $ 500 million.

A proposed $ 650 million Mongla Economic Zone is also being developed under an MoU with China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, focusing on agro-based industries and light engineering.

The update said Chattogram Port has introduced round-the-clock port operations, customs clearance and banking services, while the Third Terminal at Dhaka airport is targeted to begin operations by the end of 2026.

In investment facilitation, the merger of BIDA, BEZA and the Public-Private Partnership Authority has brought investment promotion, economic zones and PPP activities under Invest Bangladesh.

The three-day Business Starter Package has become operational on BanglaBiz, while an Invest Bangladesh office in Guangzhou is targeted to begin operations in October 2026.

The update also highlighted the conclusion of the Bangladesh-South Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which provides preferential access for 97 percent of Bangladeshi goods, including duty-free access for 8,428 products.

Under investment development, China is the largest prospective source in the $ 1.3 billion investment pipeline with $ 600 million, followed by the Middle East with $ 300 million, the United States with $ 200 million and South Korea with $ 100 million.

By sector, renewable energy and ICT lead the pipeline with $ 300 million each, followed by healthcare and textiles with $ 200 million each.

Invest Bangladesh clarified that the pipeline represents prospective investments at different stages and does not mean that the funds have already been disbursed.

The authority also identified 44 investment opportunities involving more than 10,000 acres of industrial land across five state-owned agencies and initiated the country's first comprehensive investment mapping exercise in partnership with the Asian Development Bank and SANEM.