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Let’s sustain the momentum of the summit
Can we finally deliver on the promises made?
Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025
Let’s sustain the momentum of the summit
The Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 was a clear signal that the country wants to compete on the global stage. PHOTO: CA PRESS WING
The recently concluded Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025, held from April 7 to 10 at the InterContinental Dhaka, sent a strong message: Bangladesh is ready to do business. It was more than just a four-day event—it was a strategic reset for a country navigating new economic realities.
Led by Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, the newly appointed executive chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), the summit signalled a new era for Bangladesh's investment outlook—ambitious, reform-minded, and increasingly global. But while the show of confidence and reformist rhetoric was impressive, real-world challenges remain. To understand the full picture, we need to explore both the progress and the persistent obstacles.
There is no denying the scale and ambition of this year's summit. With over 2,300 participants from 50 countries and more than 550 foreign investors in attendance, Bangladesh drew global attention. Delegations from major economies—including China, the US, UK, Japan, Singapore, and India—highlighted growing international interest in the country's economic potential.
One of the more symbolic moments was the live demo of Starlink's satellite internet service, a gesture aimed at signalling that Bangladesh is finally embracing cutting-edge digital infrastructure. It was a small but telling sign that the country is ready to address long-standing bottlenecks like unreliable internet and poor connectivity, which have deterred tech and service-sector investors in the past.
In addition, the summit featured targeted sessions on high-potential sectors: renewable energy, textiles, digital economy, agro-processing, and healthcare. This move toward sectoral diversification was refreshing and necessary. It shows that Bangladesh is moving beyond its traditional reliance on RMG and seeking new engines of growth.
Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun brought a different tone to this year's summit. With a background in international finance and strategic planning, his leadership focused on transparency, policy stability, and inclusivity. His decision to engage not just investors but also political stakeholders from various camps was a notable step toward rebuilding trust in Bangladesh's governance ecosystem.
Under his watch, BIDA has signalled that the government is serious about reform. But he has also inherited a system plagued by bureaucratic inefficiencies, outdated regulatory frameworks, and a history of unkept promises. If he can push through real structural changes—not just event-driven fanfare—he could emerge as a transformative figure.
Compared to earlier editions, the 2025 summit marked a clear upgrade—not only in optics but in purpose. Previous summits often felt like grand networking events without a follow-up plan. This one felt more grounded. There was a genuine attempt to confront the past—admitting Bangladesh's lag in ease of doing business and addressing key investor concerns, from tax complexity to logistical bottlenecks.
While such summits often leave a strong first impression, the on-the-ground reality remains difficult for investors. Foreign investors frequently withdraw or delay their commitments due to bureaucratic complexities, inconsistent regulations, political instability, corruption, law and order concerns, unreliable energy supply, inadequate transportation networks, and significant infrastructure gaps.
If Bangladesh is serious about being an FDI hotspot, then the real work begins now. Hosting a summit is the easy part. Reforming entrenched systems? That is where the real challenge lies.
Foreign and domestic investment is not just about GDP figures—it is about job creation, innovation, and long-term growth. With two-thirds of Bangladesh's population in the working-age bracket and about two million people entering the labour force each year, the pressure on the government is immense. Traditional job markets are no longer enough.
This is where foreign direct investment (FDI) can play a transformative role—especially in sectors like power, manufacturing, infrastructure, and tech. But FDI will not come in the volume we need unless we fix the core bottlenecks. The country currently ranks poorly on both the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business Index and the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Index. These metrics matter. Investors use them to judge whether Bangladesh is worth the risk.
And while the government has taken some steps—like the establishment of economic zones and single-window services—most reforms are still on paper or in pilot stages. We need bold implementation, not just bold ideas.
Bangladesh's long-term investment success also depends on political continuity and stability. As we edge closer to the next national election, there is a risk that reform momentum could stall. Dr Muhammad Yunus recently emphasised that the current administration should lay the groundwork for the next elected government to carry forward these positive trends.
This is essential. Investment confidence is built on predictability. Frequent policy shifts, political upheaval, and inconsistent governance can undo years of progress in a matter of months.
The Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 was a clear signal that the country wants to compete on the global stage. It showcased ambition, reformist zeal, and a willingness to confront past shortcomings.
But we have seen summits before. We have seen commitments before. The question is: can we finally deliver on the promises made?
Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun has made an impressive start. The participation of global investors, the focus on digital infrastructure, and the narrative around inclusive economic growth were all steps in the right direction. But unless backed by serious reform implementation and long-term political commitment, the momentum could fade—just like it did before.
Md Kawsar Uddin is associate professor of Department of English and Modern Languages, International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT).
Let’s sustain the momentum of the summit
The Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 was a clear signal that the country wants to compete on the global stage. PHOTO: CA PRESS WING
The recently concluded Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025, held from April 7 to 10 at the InterContinental Dhaka, sent a strong message: Bangladesh is ready to do business. It was more than just a four-day event—it was a strategic reset for a country navigating new economic realities.
Led by Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, the newly appointed executive chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), the summit signalled a new era for Bangladesh's investment outlook—ambitious, reform-minded, and increasingly global. But while the show of confidence and reformist rhetoric was impressive, real-world challenges remain. To understand the full picture, we need to explore both the progress and the persistent obstacles.
There is no denying the scale and ambition of this year's summit. With over 2,300 participants from 50 countries and more than 550 foreign investors in attendance, Bangladesh drew global attention. Delegations from major economies—including China, the US, UK, Japan, Singapore, and India—highlighted growing international interest in the country's economic potential.
One of the more symbolic moments was the live demo of Starlink's satellite internet service, a gesture aimed at signalling that Bangladesh is finally embracing cutting-edge digital infrastructure. It was a small but telling sign that the country is ready to address long-standing bottlenecks like unreliable internet and poor connectivity, which have deterred tech and service-sector investors in the past.
In addition, the summit featured targeted sessions on high-potential sectors: renewable energy, textiles, digital economy, agro-processing, and healthcare. This move toward sectoral diversification was refreshing and necessary. It shows that Bangladesh is moving beyond its traditional reliance on RMG and seeking new engines of growth.
Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun brought a different tone to this year's summit. With a background in international finance and strategic planning, his leadership focused on transparency, policy stability, and inclusivity. His decision to engage not just investors but also political stakeholders from various camps was a notable step toward rebuilding trust in Bangladesh's governance ecosystem.
Under his watch, BIDA has signalled that the government is serious about reform. But he has also inherited a system plagued by bureaucratic inefficiencies, outdated regulatory frameworks, and a history of unkept promises. If he can push through real structural changes—not just event-driven fanfare—he could emerge as a transformative figure.
Compared to earlier editions, the 2025 summit marked a clear upgrade—not only in optics but in purpose. Previous summits often felt like grand networking events without a follow-up plan. This one felt more grounded. There was a genuine attempt to confront the past—admitting Bangladesh's lag in ease of doing business and addressing key investor concerns, from tax complexity to logistical bottlenecks.
While such summits often leave a strong first impression, the on-the-ground reality remains difficult for investors. Foreign investors frequently withdraw or delay their commitments due to bureaucratic complexities, inconsistent regulations, political instability, corruption, law and order concerns, unreliable energy supply, inadequate transportation networks, and significant infrastructure gaps.
If Bangladesh is serious about being an FDI hotspot, then the real work begins now. Hosting a summit is the easy part. Reforming entrenched systems? That is where the real challenge lies.
Foreign and domestic investment is not just about GDP figures—it is about job creation, innovation, and long-term growth. With two-thirds of Bangladesh's population in the working-age bracket and about two million people entering the labour force each year, the pressure on the government is immense. Traditional job markets are no longer enough.
This is where foreign direct investment (FDI) can play a transformative role—especially in sectors like power, manufacturing, infrastructure, and tech. But FDI will not come in the volume we need unless we fix the core bottlenecks. The country currently ranks poorly on both the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business Index and the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Index. These metrics matter. Investors use them to judge whether Bangladesh is worth the risk.
And while the government has taken some steps—like the establishment of economic zones and single-window services—most reforms are still on paper or in pilot stages. We need bold implementation, not just bold ideas.
Bangladesh's long-term investment success also depends on political continuity and stability. As we edge closer to the next national election, there is a risk that reform momentum could stall. Dr Muhammad Yunus recently emphasised that the current administration should lay the groundwork for the next elected government to carry forward these positive trends.
This is essential. Investment confidence is built on predictability. Frequent policy shifts, political upheaval, and inconsistent governance can undo years of progress in a matter of months.
The Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 was a clear signal that the country wants to compete on the global stage. It showcased ambition, reformist zeal, and a willingness to confront past shortcomings.
But we have seen summits before. We have seen commitments before. The question is: can we finally deliver on the promises made?
Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun has made an impressive start. The participation of global investors, the focus on digital infrastructure, and the narrative around inclusive economic growth were all steps in the right direction. But unless backed by serious reform implementation and long-term political commitment, the momentum could fade—just like it did before.
Md Kawsar Uddin is associate professor of Department of English and Modern Languages, International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT).
