[🇧🇩] Bangladesh Investment Summit

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A paradigm shift in investing

Bangladesh has a history of sacrificing the growth of both foreign and local investment at the altar of bureaucratic red tape and corruption at various stages of the investment process, political rent-seeking, infrastructural weakness, and inefficiency. On the first day of the four-day Bangladesh I

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

A paradigm shift in investing
Atiqul Kabir Tuhin
Published :
Apr 09, 2025 22:50
Updated :
Apr 09, 2025 22:50

Bangladesh has a history of sacrificing the growth of both foreign and local investment at the altar of bureaucratic red tape and corruption at various stages of the investment process, political rent-seeking, infrastructural weakness, and inefficiency. On the first day of the four-day Bangladesh Investment Summit on April 07, while debriefing journalists, BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun cited the case of how complexities over the land right issue of Korean Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) in Chattogram have led to the withdrawal of substantial amount of foreign investment over the decades. Korean entrepreneur Kihak Sung, Chairman of Youngone Corporation, bought 2,500 acres of land in Anwara, Chattogram and established the KEPZ in 1999. In spite of setting up the country's single largest private export processing zone, Sung has been facing persistent delays in securing mutation documents.

The BIDA Chairman revealed that in 2012 Samsung proposed to invest $22 billion and required land documents as part of their due diligence, which KEPZ was unable to provide, leading Samsung to shift the investment to Vietnam. Sung himself had also moved some of his ventures out of Bangladesh due to the lack of these mutation documents.

However, the good news is, that the land rights issue of the KEPZ which had been unresolved for over two decades has been resolved within the past two months following the intervention of Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus. The government has already provided Sung with the mutation documents, which has encouraged him to bring in 31 Korean investors to participate in the four-day Bangladesh Investment Summit, which was attended by over 500 foreign investors from some fifty countries and around 2,500 local investors. Not only Sung brought some of his foreign investor friends along with him to the investor summit, but also he reportedly accompanied them to EPZ visits and highlighted the progress Bangladesh made under the current government in ease of doing business.

The resolution of the KEPZ land rights issue demonstrates that with strong political will and inter-agency cooperation-where government agencies and ministries prioritise national interest over bureaucratic rivalries-significant positive outcomes are achievable for businesses and service delivery alike. This is the kind of decisive action Bangladesh must replicate across various sectors to remove investment hurdles and build the confidence of foreign investors. Bangladesh has been an attractive destination to foreign investors for its cheap and trainable labour, comparatively cheaper utility services such as land and water, a vibrant consumer market and a thriving middle class. Over the years, great strides have also been made in developing infrastructure. The mega investment summit is a significant initiative to showcase the country's investment prospects and the progress it has made in making business easier.

The interim government, since assuming power nearly eight months back, has been working painstakingly to clean the Augean stables left behind by the corrupt and autocratic rule of the Hasina administration. Over the past decade and a half, the country's economy created a boom-and-bust cycle and remained trapped in stagnation, weak financial institutions due to ballooning non-performing loans, and debt. In the first quarter (Jul-Sep) of current FY 25, according to the latest BBS report, the GDP growth had plummeted to 1.96 per cent. Now, it is forecasted to grow to 4.48 per cent in the Q2 (Oct-Dec). To absorb the 2.4 million young people entering its labour market every year, Bangladesh needs a consistent economic growth rate exceeding 7 per cent. This higher growth rate is crucial not only for job creation but also for maintaining social stability and capitalising on the country's demographic dividend.

The median age in Bangladesh is only 27. That means Bangladeshis on average are a decade younger than the Thai people and two decades younger than Germans. Equipping this burgeoning youth demographic with relevant skills and generating meaningful employment opportunities represents one of Bangladesh's most pressing challenges at this critical juncture.

The much-touted economic growth during the Hasina regime's so-called development boom failed to generate sufficient employment, largely because it was driven by large-scale public sector development projects-many of which were wasteful, politically motivated, and served as avenues for siphoning off state resources through inflated costs. This infrastructure-heavy approach contributed to widening budget deficits and a rising public debt burden. Furthermore, the government's overwhelming focus on physical infrastructure came at the expense of human capital investment, resulting in a sharp decline in the quality of education and labour productivity. It has already been evident that the construction of mega-bridges, flyovers, expressways, and other large infrastructure alone cannot drive long-term economic growth. Rather, as global experience shows, sustainable economic development hinges on investment in human capital, innovation, and robust institutional reform.

So, there must be a paradigm shift from public sector mega infrastructural development to investment focused on human capital, technology, and institutional reforms. This requires a substantial investment in expanding cutting-edge technical and vocational training programmes, in partnership with esteemed international institutions. Also, there is a need to update the curricula of existing science and technology universities, establish more IT institutes in strategic cities if necessary, offer seed funding or low-interest loans to graduates, and provide comprehensive support for youth in project design and implementation. To attract a diverse talent pool, these initiatives must be implemented on a significant scale. Ideally, the private sector has to invest more motivated by the zeal for entrepreneurship and innovation. The government, for its part, must take determined steps to clear investment hurdles and reduce businesses' cost of operation to make them more competitive.

That said, earning investors' confidence in the country's political stability and law and order remains a major challenge for the government. The deplorable incident of vandalism targeting several outlets of Bata, KFC and Pizza Hut by unruly mobs during a pro-Palestine rally in several parts of the country, which coincided with the investment summit, has dealt an embarrassing blow. This recurring issue of lawlessness must be resolved to instill the confidence necessary to encourage domestic and foreign investment.​

 

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https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/economy/invest-in-bangladesh-do-business-with-a-purpose

CA's call from investment summit to global investors
Invest in Bangladesh, do business with a purpose
FE Report
Published :
Apr 09, 2025 23:39
Updated :
Apr 09, 2025 23:39

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus presents Chairman of Youngone Corporation Kihak Sung with the document of honorary citizenship at Bangladesh Investment Summit at a hotel in the capital city on Wednesday. — PID

Invest in Bangladesh under a changed perspective with a twin goal of making profit and benefiting society at large, Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus says in a clarion call to global entrepreneurs.

While inviting investors from across the world in his address to the inaugural session of the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 in Dhaka on Wednesday, he mentioned as a special feature of human capital that people of Bangladesh are full of 'crazy ideas' and such creative craze can transform the world.

"I keep reminding people, yes, you want to make profit. Go ahead. Make profit, maximise as much as you can, but we can add a little piece into it, social purpose," the Nobel-laureate economist-turned ruler, who propounds 'social business'," told his audience.

"You don't have to get disrupted by that…You have fun, like many of you do already. So if you want to make a business with a purpose, along with the business that we do, Bangladesh is the place."

He said making money is happiness, but making other people happy is a super happiness. "If you have business in Bangladesh, you will have bought happiness and super happiness. That you get extra with no cost, you'll be proud of what you have done."Highlighting the geographical advantage of the country he tells investors not to look at Bangladesh alone. It is only one piece of the economy. But it offers a vista of the whole region, "very powerful region," with lots of resources.

"We work together, facilitate each other," he said, adding that they can do business and earn money, but changing the life of the people together is a "fun, it is something that immeasurable", and each of their companies can enjoy that super happiness by expanding and reaching out. The impact that they make, they never explored.

"Just a little opening, just a magic changes the world. Business can be the most powerful mechanism by which we can change the world, but we are trained to focus on some so narrow thing. We miss out the world."

The head of interim government makes it clear that government cannot achieve that, it's just not the function of the government but is the function of individuals, human beings.

He notes that humans can change the world. And business gives a big, powerful tool to do that. "Then the new civilization should be a civilization where there will be no carbon emission… All we have to do just pay attention to that side."

Presenting the changed Bangladesh -- following the August changeover that brought his government to the helm -- he told the function that it is a country where most people were farmers transformed itself through the vision of 'some crazy young guys from the universities' who dared to enter into something new like garment industry.

And this first-generation entrepreneurs are followed by the second generation, and a third generation is coming up for which the country needs to be prepared.

This third generation - little bigger boys and girls- will change the world. They have the technology, they have the creativity, and innovativeness in problem-solving ideas.

Addressing the third generation he said, "You can get together, gather together, and talk about creating that world. It's not just business in a limited idea, which is good, but you can have another space remaining unutilized. Let's use this too. In Bangladesh, the business is not only for Bangladesh…It could be for the whole world."

Turning to his career goal as banker to the poor, the microcredit pioneer said, "Whoever thought that my concept of Grameen Bank which was started in a tiny, little village now would be a prime business in the United States."

He said Grameen America in the USA and millions of women take money from German America which has an annual turnover of $2 billion.

"In the next four years, it will be $5 billion a year. It is growing very fast."

Prof Yunus praised Youngone Chairman Kihak Sung, who was conferred honorary citizenship of Bangladesh in the session for his immense contribution to Bangladesh.

"He has love for Bangladesh, he loves its people and its nature."

In an emotion-choked voice he recalls the famines of 1974, when, he said, over one and half million people died out of hunger.

"The year we cannot forget. So that was the country we started with."

Terming the journey from 1974 to 2025 amazing, he notes that Bangladesh has managed to transform itself from that difficult situation as despite having the same land, the country now provides the food for a population bigger three times.

"We used to grow one crop. We didn't know any other way. Our people were known as farmers, because they have no other profession. And of them, three-fourths were landless farmers," he says narrating the state of the country in the early 70s.

"Now we talk about big industries and so on, now we are so many countries to set up more industries, talk about the big market," he said, adding: "Bangladesh came a long way in a very short time."

He said looking at the plight of the people round during the famine time he came out with the idea of lending "money, tiny little money- $2 $3 -so that they can start a business.

"The programme focused specially on women, they are the most destitute of all. And that became known as microcredit. We created a bank called Grameen Bank. Then I had no idea what this final level turned out to be, but it turned out to be a global name."

He also narrated the outcome of another 'crazy idea'-Grameen phone. Government asked what he would do with the telephone company. "I said we'll give it to poor, poor women. They laughed at us. To make a long story short, we got the licence."

Nobody wanted to partner with them because they had no knowledge.

He explained his project to a person in Norway whom he knew. He happened to be chairman of Telenor. That person had to face opposition from other board members but he finally managed to get approval for investing in that phone project and eventually it became largest phone company of the country.

"I'm narrating this story a little bit because Bangladesh is a country with crazy ideas to change the world, make things happen," he told his business audience.

"Everyone you saw on this stage receiving their awards has very powerful, crazy ideas and makes them happen. So we invite you to join that crowd. Not only change Bangladesh by your business, change the world."

Leading business entrepreneur Nasim Manzur in his presentation in the session spotlighted the immense opportunity of Bangladesh for the investors.

Bangladesh gets 114-million-strong labour force in its population having tremendous innovation, resilience and entrepreneurship.

"This is the strength of Bangladesh."

He also named several enterprises that have their footprints in global business.

He points out that the country has low-cost labour, but, at the same time, the quality and productivity of Bangladesh labour force is high.

"For the productivity we get…we overcome the obstacles. There are very few countries in the world that have this kind of quality of workforce," notes Nasim Manzur, CEO of Apex Footwear.

Brushing aside the term 'cheap labour' used for Bangladeshi labour force, he said, "Our labour is not cheap, we have low-cost competitive labour that is one of the finest in the world and you can ask any investors in Bangladesh," he told the assembly of local and foreign investors amid huge applauses.

"We have the most productive factories in the manufacturing groups in Bangladesh."

Citing example, he said Coats is one of the largest manufactures of threads in the world in Bangladesh and "you will be happy to know that their highest- productivity factory is actually in Bangladesh".

Oscar Garcia Maceiras, Chief Executive Officer of Spanish clothing retailer Inditex, in his speech said Bangladeshi people have the requisite flexibility and innovation, the two characteristics required by their group.

Lutfe Siddiqui, Special Envoy to the Chief Adviser, anchored the session where Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, executive chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authorities (BIDA), made opening remarks.

Mr Ashik said the vision of this government is to transform Bangladesh into a manufacturing hub of the region by 2035.

Kihak Sung, Chairman of Youngone Corporation and a pioneer in Bangladesh's readymade garment (RMG) and textile sectors, was awarded honorary citizenship of Bangladesh for his outstanding contributions to the industry and Bangladesh economy.

Chief Adviser Prof Yunus handed over the citizenship document to Sung at the formal inaugural ceremony of the Bangladesh Investment Summit-2025 at Hotel Intercontinental.

Sung, who first came to the country in the mid-1990s, was one of five individuals and organisations honoured for their significant contributions to Bangladesh.

"I am truly honoured receiving the honorary citizenship," Sung told the Summit.

Fabric Lagbe Ltd (innovation category), Walton, bkash (foreign investment), and Square Pharmaceutical (local company) were adorned with Excellence in Investment Award 2025.

The chief adviser also conferred the awards.

SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed and Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam also joined the event where Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi welcomed all.

Kihak Sung served as President of the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) for the 2018-20 term.

His meteoric rise in the textile arena is associated with the success of Youngone Corporation, over the years, as a pioneering investor in RMG and textile sector FDI which led investments both in Chattogram and Dhaka EPZs and lately in Korean EPZ.

Youngone was the first investor in the textile and apparel-export sector in May 1980 and has been a pioneer in female employment in the industry.

Advisers of the interim government, including Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin and Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul, were present.​

 

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Holcim Group reaffirms commitment to Bangladesh market
Regional head of Holcim Group meets chief adviser

Martin Kriegner, Holcim Group executive committee member and region head of Asia, the Middle East and Africa, calls on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, at state guest house Jamuna in Dhaka today. Photo: Chief Adviser's Office

Martin Kriegner, Holcim Group executive committee member and regional head for Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, reaffirmed the group's commitment to Bangladesh during his meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the state guest house Jamuna in Dhaka today.

The meeting addressed the country's cement consumption trends, the environmental impact of the industry, and Holcim's future plans for the Bangladeshi market.

Holcim, a leading global cement and building materials company, is the parent company of LafargeHolcim Bangladesh.

The company operates the only integrated cement plant in Chhatak, Sunamganj, and has been present in the country for more than two decades.

"We are thankful to the government for providing continuous support to enable us to produce world-class products in Bangladesh," stated Kriegner.

He explained that the company utilises "non-recyclable plastics" as a fuel source at its Chhatak factory, asserting that this process has zero environmental impact.

"Holcim has been a global pioneer in sustainable solution technologies, which we are also deploying in Bangladesh," Kriegner said, adding that the company has carbon capture projects at its plants in other countries, which could be replicated in Bangladesh.

Iqbal Chowdhury, CEO and Managing Director of LafargeHolcim Bangladesh, noted the challenges and opportunities of the industry in the country over the past year.

However, he anticipates an improvement in the coming months.

Chowdhury highlighted the company's recent introduction of aggregates in Bangladesh, which he expects will save the country hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign exchange.

Professor Yunus enquired about the environmental impact of using non-recyclable plastics at the Lafarge plant.

He received assurances that the use of plastics as fuel would not result in carbon emissions in the region.

The chief adviser welcomed further Holcim investment in the country, affirming the government's pro-business and pro-foreign direct investment stance.

Kriegner reiterated Holcim's commitment to the Bangladeshi market, emphasising its intention to be a long-term player.

Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, SDG Coordinator Lamiya Morshed, and Principal Secretary Sirajuddin Sathi also attended the meeting.​

 

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BIDA Chairman presents to investors at Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 in English.

 

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Bangladesh is streamlining Trade License Process to start new businesses for forein investors.

 

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Handa Industries Limited from China will invest $150m in garments industry and textile sectors as well as promote investment activates in Bangladesh

Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, executive chairman of BIDA and Heng Zeli, chairman, Handa (Dhaka) Textile Co. Ltd, signed a MoU on behalf of their respective sides at a hotel in the capital on 9 April 2025. Photo: BSS

Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, executive chairman of BIDA and Heng Zeli, chairman, Handa (Dhaka) Textile Co. Ltd, signed a MoU on behalf of their respective sides at a hotel in the capital on 9 April 2025. Photo: BSS

Handa Industries Limited, a renowned china-based apparel manufacturing company for the production of superior-quality knitted textiles, dyeing processes, and apparel on a global scale, will invest US150 million in Bangladesh.


They will invest $100 million in textile and dying sectors under economic zone and $50 million in garments industry under export processing zone.

To this end, Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, executive chairman of BIDA and Heng Zeli, chairman of Handa (Dhaka) Textile Co. Ltd, inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on behalf of their respective sides at a hotel in the capital today (9 April 2025).

Handa Industries Limited will invest in garments industry and textile sectors as well as promote investment activates in Bangladesh (the Projects).

Handa Industries Limited has expressed its interest, obtaining necessary approval and meeting regulatory requirements to make investments in the textile and garment sector with an aim to promote FDI and enhance bilateral economic relationship between the two brotherly countries.

Handa Industries Co., LTD. (Handa Industries for short) is a wholly-owned limited liability company based in China, committed to the full industrial chain of textile and apparel, created a one-stop service of high-end fabric and garment production.

Over the years, adhering to the enterprise spirit of "innovation, integrity, honesty, customer first", after nearly 30 years of hard work and precipitation, in the continuous innovation and layout, Handa has transformed from a small and medium-sized enterprise to a strong enterprise with a complete industrial chain, operating marketing centers and production bases in China, Japan, the United States, Southeast Asia, Africa and other places with more than 10,000 employees and an annual turnover of more than $300 million.

Handa Industries was established in 1995 and has multiple subsidiaries under its umbrella deep in research and development of weft knitted fabrics, dyeing and finishing of knitting, garment design and production, continuously creating value for our customers and the community.

Chinese Handa Industries Limited to invest $150m

Handa Industries Limited will invest in garments industry and textile sectors as well as promote investment activates in Bangladesh (the Projects)

www.tbsnews.net

 

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China will build another economic zone in Mongla, Bagerhat which will house cold-chain refrigeration installations for shipping agro goods (mangoes, jackfruit) via containers.

 

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Middle-class growth, infrastructure, and high returns make Bangladesh attractive for FDI: Experts at Bangladesh Investment Summit

A vibrant and expanding middle class, high returns on investment, and substantial infrastructure development are the key factors drawing foreign investments into Bangladesh, experts observed at the BIDA’s Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 on Thursday. During the session on Agriculture and Ag

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Middle-class growth, infrastructure, and high returns make Bangladesh attractive for FDI: Experts at Bangladesh Investment Summit
FE ONLINE REPORT
Published :
Apr 10, 2025 20:43
Updated :
Apr 10, 2025 20:45

A vibrant and expanding middle class, high returns on investment, and substantial infrastructure development are the key factors drawing foreign investments into Bangladesh, experts observed at the BIDA’s Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 on Thursday.

During the session on Agriculture and Agro-Processing, part of the four-day summit organised by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), several strategic insights and commitments were unveiled to enhance Bangladesh’s investment arena.

Two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between Bangladeshi and Dutch private sector entities aimed at developing the agriculture and agro-processing sectors in Bangladesh.

Presenting a keynote paper, Md Ariful Haque from BIDA said that Bangladesh has one of the most lucrative geographic locations, situated between China, ASEAN and the Middle East, with direct trade routes to over 3.0 billion consumers.

"Our port connectivity projects are ongoing, and after their completion, we could get a one-third reduction in export lead time.

We also have duty-free access to the EU and China and have the potential to sustain a 7.0 per cent GDP growth rate for the next half-decade.

The country’s middle and affluent class has now exceeded the total population of Malaysia,” he said.

“By 2040, Bangladesh’s economy is expected to triple in size, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10 per cent. The investment environment will remain secure and promising,” Mr Haque said.

He said that widespread regulatory reforms are already underway.

“We are open to reviewing and amending any regulations that investors find problematic. This is just the beginning — the opportunities are abundant,” he emphasised.

He also called for stronger support in post-harvest loss management through agro-processing innovations.

Nuria López, representing the EU Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh, said Bangladesh’s fertile soil, favourable climate, and strong rural foundation are some key factors that would make Bangladesh a promising hub for agricultural investment and agro-processing development.

“Agriculture in Bangladesh has the potential to rival the garment and service sectors in job creation,” she said.

She said that 35 million members of the country’s growing middle class demand safe, high-quality food, placing a premium on products that meet EU standards. “There is high investment potential in premium and traceable food segments,” she said.

However, López also stressed the need for a faster, more transparent, and investor-friendly system in Bangladesh. Among her recommendations were provisional licensing to enable investors to begin operations within a month.

She also demands genuine one-stop service facilities, digitisation and automation to reduce delays and human involvement, protection of intellectual property and plant breeders’ rights, stronger phytosanitary certification processes, extending benefits beyond EPZs and EZs, and locating factories within agricultural production zones.

She also put emphasis on the importance of aligning growth with sustainability, social business models, and rural value chain development.

The Netherlands' ambassador to Bangladesh reaffirmed the country's strategic partnership with Bangladesh in diversifying, modernising, and commercialising agriculture.

“The demand is huge, and the opportunity in agro-processing is even greater,” he said.

He emphasised climate-smart approaches in the seed sector and called for deeper engagement in areas such as land access and tax policies.

“This summit has offered a platform for open dialogue — precisely what a true investment conference should be,” he said.

He said, “We’re proud to be a trusted partner in Bangladesh’s journey across horticulture, agriculture, fisheries, and sustainability. This partnership is dynamic and transformational — encompassing cutting-edge machinery, smart farming tools, productivity gains, and stronger global competitiveness."

He also called for urgent policy updates in areas such as seed regulation, climate resilience, food safety compliance, environmental requirements, and value chain enhancement.

“The ultimate goal is joint rural employment generation and global elevation of Bangladesh’s agri-food sector,” he said.

A major collaboration was also announced between the Netherlands-based Green House Delta and Bangladesh’s ACI Limited, with both sides signing an MoU to establish a 20,000-square-foot greenhouse in Mauna, Gazipur.

Dr FH Ansarey, Head of Agribusiness at ACI, told The FE, “The new facility will allow local entrepreneurs to access greenhouse fabrication services, use locally sourced glass, reduce overall costs, and receive training support.”

“We’ve been able to reduce the cost of producing cherry and big tomatoes by a factor of ten in greenhouses. Our target is to make the facility operational by 2025,” he said.

Another agreement was signed between the Bangladesh Seed Association and the Dutch entity SeedNL to develop climate-smart, environment-friendly seed technologies.

Among others, Agriculture Secretary Dr Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian, NBR Member Mima Akhter, Commerce Joint Secretary MS Nargis, Agriculture Joint Secretary Kamrul Hasan, and Bangladesh Bank Director Debashish Sarker also spoke at the session.​

 

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Foreign investors find cheap labour attractive

Foreign investors attending the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 have said that cheap labour and tax breaks have made the county attractive to foreign businesses for investment.

www.newagebd.net

Foreign investors find cheap labour attractive
Shakhawat Hossain 10 April, 2025, 23:57

Foreign investors attending the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 have said that cheap labour and tax breaks have made the county attractive to foreign businesses for investment.

Hijiri Orihara, general manager of the overseas sales department of the Japanese wrist watch maker, Sun Flame Co Ltd, attended the four-day summit with a view to establishing a plant in the country.

Ever since company officials heard that Bangladesh offered tax break for 10 years at specific zones, they had been looking for an opportunity to visit Bangladesh, Hijiri told New Age at the InterContinental, Dhaka on Tuesday.

The company has sent Hijiri and Kenichi Hirai, global strategy division manager of Sun Flame, after it received invitation from the Bangladesh embassy in Tokyo, the Japanese capital.

Based in Tokyo, Sun Flame has been marketing its three brands — Sun Flame, Sealane and Grand Jour — since 1984 in the domestic market dominated mainly by Seiko, Citizen and Casio.

Just before the Covid pandemic, the company included China for marketing its watches prices of which range from $10 to $100, said Hijiri.

Hijiri said that he was excited to learn that there was no import duty for bringing raw materials to Bangladesh to operate in the specific zones.

He also said that his company wanted to rely on local partner to look after the marketing as part of its plan to export watches from Bangladesh to India and other Asian countries.

Calculating per hour wage at about $12 in Tokyo, Hijiri said that growing manufacturing costs in Japan had led them to find out alternative.

Pavel Nikulin, a senior engineer at NOA Labs in Shenzhen of China, said that growing wage forced them to look for alternative investment destinations.

He told that he had participated in the summit in the past years with the aim of making an investment in Bangladesh, but the Covid pandemic and the war in Ukraine with Russia had delayed the plan.

One of the major reasons is the possibility in availability of cheap workforce in Bangladesh, he said.

Mainly based in Berlin of Germany, the NOA Labs is dedicated to designing, engineering, prototyping and mass production.

Its major products include artificial intelligence, consumer electronics and mobile devices.

Despite an abundance of cheap labour force, Bangladesh is one of the least foreign direct investment destinations in South Asia.

The foreign direct investment flow to the country in the 2023-24 financial year dropped to a decade low to $1.47 billion compared with that of $1.6 billion in FY23 and $3.44 billion in FY22, according to Bangladesh Bank.

In 2023, the FDI to India drastically fell to $28.1 billion compared with that of $49.3 billion in 2022. In the same year, Sri Lanka received $724 million in net FDI and Pakistan $1.82 billion.

Gary Hu, general manager of the Xi’an Longjoy Foreign Trade Co Ltd of China, said that he was looking for a local partner in Bangladesh to set up a factory in the export processing zones because of growing labour cost in China.

His company’s main items are cable trays, steel gratings, steel fences, fasteners, cables and screen pipes.

Hu pointed out that hiring a Chinese engineer cost about $1,500 monthly.

In Bangladesh, his company could hire such an engineer at $500 to $700 monthly, he said.

To him, Dhaka’s chaotic traffic should be checked and bureaucratic hassles should be curbed.

Economists identified inefficient bureaucracy, corruption, negative credit rating, dollar shortage and political uncertainty among the problems hindering the FDI.

But the country needs higher flow of FDI to overcome the challenge of graduation from the least developed countries’ bloc in 2026, they said.

The FDI will not only ensure the flow of foreign currency, but also ensure technology transfers, said Mustafa K Mujeri, executive director of the Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development.

The investment summit that ended on Thursday raised the level of general people’s expectation over attracting FDI as it was organised under the interim government that assumed power after the fall of the autocratic Awami League regime on August 5, 2024 amid a mas uprising, economists said.

They said that the AL regime was criticised by foreign investors for failing to ease the doing of business situation, which remained one of the major obstacles to attracting FDIs.

Bangladesh Investment Development Authority executive chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun on Tuesday said that the investment summit would help the country to erase its negative image as an investment destination.​

 

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Foreign investment pipeline created thru summit: BIDA

A foreign investment pipeline has been created for the country through Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 organised by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority...

www.newagebd.net

Foreign investment pipeline created thru summit: BIDA
Staff Correspondent 10 April, 2025, 23:10

Bangladesh Investment Development Authority business development head Nahian Rahman Rochi, executive member Shah Mohammad Mahbub, BEZA director general Doyananda Debnath and chief adviser’s deputy press secretary Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumder are present at a press conference at Hotel Intercontinental in the capital Dhaka on Thursday. | BSS photo

A foreign investment pipeline has been created for the country through Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 organised by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority.

BIDA’s Business Development Department head Nahian Rahman made the remark at the closing press conference of the summit at the Intercontinental Hotel in the capital on Thursday.

He also said that the BIDA will maintain continuous communications and monitoring with the company that proposed or promised to invest in Bangladesh.

Responding to a question about whether the government has taken steps to address investors› concerns about resolving bureaucratic complications, he said that earlier, there were bureaucratic complexities due to a large number of ministers and state ministers.

However, with an advisory panel of 24-25 advisers, the issues have been centralised, and they are trying to resolve the bureaucratic complexities.

He said that the investors have reported several problems, including access to resources, continuity of policies, and corruption in broad strokes, and they are working to resolve these problems.

He also said that the BIDA will make an 18–24-month roadmap based on the summit.

‘Investors usually take 18 to 24 months to formalise the investment process. We will contact them after assessing each proposal.’

He disclosed that there were 550 registrations here, and about 400-450 foreign investors participated in the summit.

‘We will share information the complete amount of investment and total number of the participating investors soon in a press conference,’ he added.

He also said that the government offices and the NBR are sluggish, and they are taking steps for inter-ministerial coordination to solve these complexities.

In response to another question, he said Chinese farm Handa Industries signed a deal to invest $150 million in the summit. Moreover, ShopUp also received an investment of $110 million.

‘We will announce the total number of investment proposals received in the summit soon,’ he added.

In the summit, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association and HSBC organised a session titled ‘Apparel & Textiles’.

In the session, Kihak Sung, chairman and CEO of Youngone, presented the keynote titled ‘Bangladesh Moving Forward: Through an Investor’s Lens’.

The session featured expert panel discussions on two critical themes: sustainability and export infrastructure.

Kihak Sung said that Bangladesh can become the world›s leading garment exporter if it can implement the right strategies and reforms.

‘Bangladesh is the second largest garment exporter in the world as a single country. To reach the top position, Bangladesh will have to upgrade its technology and upscale its workers,’ he added.

He also said that Bangladesh has to produce high-value products to survive in the market in the coming days.

He also said that three-month pause on the Trump-era tariff policy has brought some relief and the government must take proactive steps in this regard.

BGMEA administrator Md Anwar Hossain also spoke at the event.

Meanwhile, in partnership with BIDA and UNDP, Citi NA organised A Digital Economy session.

Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, policy adviser for the ICT Division, gave the keynote presentation during the session.

He said the government was reforming policies to boost the digital economy and preparing the Cyber Security Ordinance, Personal Data Protection Act, Semiconductor Policy, and National Artificial Intelligence Policy.

Md Mainul Haque, country officer of City NA, said Bangladesh can achieve great success through the digital economy even with little capital.

Rujan Sarwar, head of public policy for Meta, Bangladesh, and Nepal, said small entrepreneurs can expand their businesses through advertising on Meta›s Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp.

Meanwhile, Abdul Samad Dawood, CEO of Engro Holdings of Pakistan, met with chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus to discuss investment opportunities in Bangladesh.

During the meeting, the Engro CEO expressed a strong interest in expanding the company›s footprint in Bangladesh, particularly telecommunications and energy.

Moreover, on Thursday, the final day of the Bangladesh Investment Summit, BIDA, UNDP, and ILO organised a roundtable on leveraging the nexus between trade, investment, governance, and responsible business conduct for decent work.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh has potential to become digital powerhouse

Bangladesh has all the potential to position itself as a rising digital powerhouse through the development of one of the top-tier e-governments and by increasing ICT exports and cultivating a tech-savvy workforce, said experts yesterday.

www.thedailystar.net

Bangladesh has potential to become digital powerhouse
Experts say at Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025

Bangladesh has all the potential to position itself as a rising digital powerhouse through the development of one of the top-tier e-governments and by increasing ICT exports and cultivating a tech-savvy workforce, said experts yesterday.

They said backed by a youthful population, competitive costs, and ongoing progressive policy reforms, the country is drawing increased attention from global investors in sectors ranging from fintech and semiconductors to digital services.

The remarks came at a session on "Digital Economy" on the sidelines of Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 organised by Citi in partnership with Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Dhaka.

Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, special assistant to the chief adviser with executive authority of posts, telecom and ICT, said the government was prioritising "Digital Public Infrastructure" (DPI) by first establishing a strong legal and regulatory foundation.

He said a revised "Cyber Safety Ordinance"—focused on protecting democratic values and human rights—was set to be published soon, alongside a new "Personal Data Protection Act" under a data governance authority.

Emphasis is being placed on AI and cloud-first policies, fibre liberalisation, internet cost reduction, and flexible licensing to remove barriers to digital growth. The government also plans to introduce a national electronic ID system for authentication, he said.

He said committed to supporting innovation and investment, the government seeks employment creation from businesses in return. All policy support—electricity, internet, land, and tax reforms—will be provided to foster a thriving digital economy, he said.

Ruzan Sarwar, head of public policy for Bangladesh and Nepal at Meta, emphasised the importance of creating a balanced regulatory environment that encourages innovation while safeguarding data privacy.

She underscored Meta's support for smart regulation, urging governments to engage with tech industry experts when drafting legislation.

Highlighting the drawbacks of Bangladesh's past punitive "stick" approach, she called for a more attractive, incentive-based "carrot" model to draw in global companies.

Grameenphone CEO Yasir Azman, reflecting on the mobile company's 28-year journey, emphasised how Telenor's first Asian investment has grown into Bangladesh's leading telecom company.

The company has contributed over Tk 1.3 trillion to the national exchequer in direct and indirect taxes since inception and empowered millions, he said.

He highlighted real-life stories—from a young girl in a tea garden continuing her education with shared digital access, to a rural designer using YouTube to run a micro-business, and a mango farmer now exporting to Germany.

These stories, he argued, embody the transformative power of digital inclusion.

Azman stressed that true return on investment comes when businesses empower communities through connectivity, innovation, and responsible practices.

He also said the government's commitment was to make policies more business-friendly, which would invite global investors to join Bangladesh's journey of transformation.

Emphasising the youth potential, demographic strength, and regulatory reforms, he urged investors to look beyond challenges and believe in the possibilities.

Kamal Quadir, founder and CEO of bKash, reflected on the company's 15-year journey, emphasising its impact on 80 million customers.

He also spoke about Bangladesh's vibrant spirit and social mobilisation, noting that despite many challenges, people here remain hopeful and driven. This energy fuels bKash's mission daily, he said.

He said bKash leveraged mobile connectivity to deliver inclusive financial services.

Traditional banking models, he argued, were not designed for the unbanked to adopt banking services easily, but mobile infrastructure allowed for personalised, low-cost financial solutions.

He also highlighted the central bank's pivotal role in enabling bKash through forward-thinking regulation, ensuring the protection of customers' money and the viability of the fund.

With 350,000 agents nationwide, bKash has built a grassroots network where 77 percent of revenue is shared with local agents and distributors, incentivising their commitment, he said.

Quadir acknowledged the challenges of managing vast cash flows and said bKash was confident in its mission to bring secure, accessible financial services to every corner of Bangladesh—turning a simple idea into a transformative force.​

 

[Saif]

A turning point for investment—if we can seize it

Both broad reforms and targeted interventions are necessary

www.thedailystar.net

A turning point for investment—if we can seize it
Both broad reforms and targeted interventions are necessary

VISUAL: STAR

We're heartened by the successful conclusion of Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 that reportedly drew in some 450 foreign investors and representatives from 40 countries. During the four-day event, two investment deals were signed, while many pledged future investments. The government has rightly expressed its intent to capitalise on the momentum. As per the organisers, a "pipeline" of potential investments will be created based on the companies and individuals who have shown interest, and a roadmap with a timeframe of 18-24 months will be drawn up to ensure the summit's promises translate into real, long-term gains. It goes without saying that the success of this much-hyped event will be determined by how well the authorities can follow through. The challenge is not just to concretise the investment commitments, but also to uphold the post-July economic reform agenda to create an enabling environment for sustainable growth.

In this connection, we want to reiterate the importance of addressing long-standing barriers to doing business that have been repeatedly flagged by experts. While there are sector-specific concerns and vulnerabilities—such as those affecting the RMG industry, which just survived (temporarily) a tariff scare triggered by the US—barriers cutting across all sectors must be addressed with priority. Participants at the summit, for instance, raised concerns about policy inconsistency, political instability, corruption, bureaucratic red tape, lack of coordination, crises of gas and electricity, and complex approval procedures. Some of these were also reflected in a recently unveiled World Bank report that highlighted Bangladesh's top five business obstacles, including its inefficient tax structure and informal economy. Many of these problems require political commitment, so political parties, too, must step up in creating the kind of environment investors need.

The fact is, Bangladesh has significant investment potential but it cannot be fully realised without addressing these underlying challenges. While the interim government's efforts in this regard have borne some fruit, much more needs to be done. At the same time, we must acknowledge the promise shown of late by some sectors. For instance, in its report, the World Bank identified four sectors—green RMG, housing for middle-class families, paint and dyes, and digital financial services—as ripe for reform. These sectors, it argues, are mature and politically feasible enough to be restructured in ways that could create millions of jobs, draw investments, and spark a ripple effect of productivity in interconnected sectors. Among them, the RMG industry deserves particular mention. As the founder of the Korean EPZ said at the summit, if overhauled and properly supported, it could become the top global apparel exporter even as we try to diversify our export basket.

To capitalise on all such promises, we need sustained efforts from the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) as well as targeted interventions and broad reforms from higher authorities. The recent summit was an attempt to dispel the negative perceptions many foreign investors still hold about our investment climate because of past experiences. We can project a new, reformed image through our actions going forward.​

 

[Saif]

Investors interested in Bangladesh despite business hurdles

Although Bangladesh is the world’s second-largest exporter of readymade garments, it continues to struggle with major challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, cumbersome bureaucracy and murky regulations.

www.thedailystar.net

Investors interested in Bangladesh despite business hurdles
German denim maker says they’re here to stay and grow

You can have the best factory in the north, but if you can't get your goods out to the port efficiently, it simply doesn't work. Infrastructure must improve.

— Thomas Koning CEO of Ospig GmbH

Although Bangladesh is the world's second-largest exporter of readymade garments, it continues to struggle with major challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, cumbersome bureaucracy and murky regulations.

Still, these obstacles haven't scared off global investors. On the contrary, many, including those from Germany, are taking an even keener interest.

One such investor is Thomas Koning, chief executive officer (CEO) of Ospig GmbH, a German firm specialising in jeans and casual wear.

Speaking to The Daily Star on the sidelines of the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025, Koning was frank about the barriers international businesses often face in the country.

Yet he also expressed a growing confidence in Bangladesh's shifting policy landscape and, above all, in its people.

"You can have the best factory in the north, but if you can't get your goods out to the port efficiently, it simply doesn't work. Infrastructure must improve," he said, pulling no punches.

Despite these concerns, Koning made his position clear by saying that Ospig is not going anywhere.

"The speeches we heard, particularly from the CEO of Inditex and the chief adviser of the interim government, were deeply encouraging. They have given us hope that positive changes are not only coming, they are already underway," he added.

He said that political stability was the foremost concern for foreign investors, and he believed Bangladesh was on the right track.

"What we need is stability. And we see it coming. We already held bilateral meetings here with members of the interim government. I must say, we have a very positive impression. They are focused on what truly matters at this moment," Koning said.

When asked what could accelerate foreign direct investment (FDI), he was direct. "The most important thing is to reduce bureaucratic red tape," said the German investor.

"International investors like us need a clear, streamlined structure. Talking to multiple departments for one project slows things down. We need simplicity, transparency and efficiency," he said.

According to Koning, his company has already urged the government to maintain policy consistency and adopt key reforms to unlock the country's human potential fully.

Even with optimism in the air, logistical headaches remain, particularly those tied to infrastructure.

"If you run a factory near Dhaka and want to export to Europe, you need to go through Chattogram. It's just 270 kilometres, but it takes ten hours by truck. That's not viable. There are at least 16 bottlenecks along the way," he said.

He pointed out that relying on a single port makes overseas trade far more difficult than it is supposed to be.

To support Bangladesh's ambitions of becoming a manufacturing hub beyond garments, Koning said the country must urgently invest in infrastructure and enforce its laws more rigorously.

However, one key strength lies in its people. "We've had a factory here for 30 years. We know the people. They are eager to learn, hardworking, and often well-educated," he said.

"In many countries, finding skilled manpower is tough. But in Bangladesh, you have both the numbers and the mindset. That's your biggest potential," he added.

Ospig GmbH has been operating in Bangladesh since the mid-1990s, supplying denim and casual wear to leading fashion brands worldwide.

The company's renewed commitment sends a strong signal about growing global confidence in Bangladesh's industrial prospects and investment ecosystem.

Koning said that the company plans to expand its operations further. "Yes, we have already invested millions in the garment sector here. And yes, we are planning further investments within the next 12 months," he added.

However, he declined to reveal the exact figures, saying they depended on several factors.

He did mention that Ospig is currently calculating costs for sourcing new machinery from Spain, Italy and Türkiye.

Koning also believes Bangladesh's potential reaches well beyond textiles, especially in high-tech manufacturing.

"We visited the Walton Group's factory. They are producing high-tech products like refrigerators, mobile phones, and solar systems," he said.

"We also saw a bicycle assembly plant. These visits showed us that Bangladesh is capable of more. Not just pharmaceuticals, but even machinery for the global market," he added.

"We participated in the summit with expectations, and we are leaving with conviction. Bangladesh is ready, and so are we," he commented.​