Staff Reporter :
The four-day Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 commenced with a focus on showcasing the country’s evolving investment landscape, which is seen as ripe with transformative opportunities and significant growth potential.
As part of the summit, an exposition titled “Bangladesh Startup Connect 2025” began on Monday morning at the InterContinental Dhaka. The event features discussions on investment prospects and the challenges facing startups in the country.
Meanwhile, a 60-member business delegation commenced visits to the Korean Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) and the National Special Economic Zone (NSEZ) in Chattogram. The delegation received presentations and toured several factories.
At the KEPZ, delegates heard from Kihak Sung, chairman of Youngone Corporation, who emphasised the benefits of private sector agility and accountability.
“As a private organisation, we can act swiftly,” Sung said. “We’re accountable only to our management, not to multiple bureaucratic layers, which simplifies and streamlines processes.”
He cited past collaborations as examples of proactive investment strategies. “When a world-renowned storage company approached us, we facilitated their entry by building factories at our own expense,” he said. “This brought us recognition and forged a strong partnership.”
Sung also underlined the need for collective efforts in driving export growth. “Collaboration among the government, financial institutions, and private players is vital,” he stated. “Through joint efforts, facilities like the KEPZ can help boost exports, particularly in value-added and apparel sectors.”
He expressed optimism about Bangladesh’s potential to outpace many regional competitors in attracting and retaining foreign investment.
Yasser Amit, chairman and CEO of Evision Group and ImatrixUSA Inc., expressed interest in investing in Bangladesh’s renewable energy and semiconductor sectors. A New York-based Non-Resident Bangladeshi, Amit outlined his plans at a recent business event.
“We are currently exploring investment opportunities in solar energy,” he said, noting that work is already underway to implement solar and power plant projects across various economic zones.
He also discussed his ambition to contribute to the semiconductor sector. “We’re examining the prospects for developing a semiconductor industry in the country,” he said.
“With the support of the new government, we’re hopeful there will be meaningful opportunities to contribute to Bangladesh’s technological development.”
According to Amit, with the appropriate infrastructure and policy support, Bangladesh could become a competitive destination for high-tech industries.
The delegation is also scheduled to visit the NSEZ, where they will be briefed on its ongoing development and future investment potential.
At the opening session of Startup Connect 2025, held at the InterContinental Dhaka, Faiz Ahmad Taiyab, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser of the ICT Division, announced that the interim government is working to ensure no future government can restrict internet access in Bangladesh.
“We aim to declare internet access as a civic right,” he said.
Faiz further mentioned that efforts are underway to amend contentious sections of the Telecommunication Act 2001, which currently permit legal shutdowns of the internet.
Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur highlighted the growth potential of the country’s startup ecosystem, referencing bKash as a successful example.
“I would like to see at least 10 unicorns like bKash in Bangladesh in the near future,” he stated.
The opening session also featured a keynote address by Tanveer Ali, chairman of Constellation Asset Management Company Ltd, and was moderated by Sadia Haque, co-founder and CEO of ShareTrip.
Among others who addressed the session were Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Finance Secretary Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder, and ICT Division Secretary and Startup Bangladesh Ltd Chairman Shish Haider Chowdhury.
