Move to unlock more FDI
Bangladesh is seeking to attract greater foreign direct investment (FDI) from US companies by offering a more business-friendly environment, streamlined investment procedures and stronger security for foreign investors, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Tuesday.
He urged US businesses to increase their investment in Bangladesh, highlighting opportunities across energy, food security, infrastructure and other strategic sectors.
The minister made the call during a meeting with a 16-member high-level delegation from the US-Bangladesh Business Council (USBBC), led by its President and US Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President for South Asia Atul Keshap, at the home ministry at the Secretariat.
The two sides discussed ways to expand bilateral trade and investment, as well as cooperation in energy and security, according to a ministry press release.
Salahuddin said Bangladesh currently offers considerable opportunities for FDI and that the government was working to ensure a tariff-friendly environment for investors.
Welcoming increased US investment, he said the government had taken legal and administrative measures to launch a one-stop service, “Invest Bangladesh”, bringing investment-related services under a single platform to simplify business operations.
He said the relevant administrative and legal procedures had been streamlined over the past five to six months to facilitate investment.
The minister also pointed to opportunities in the energy sector, saying the government was examining proposals to establish LNG terminals at strategically important locations.
Such facilities, he said, would help diversify the country’s energy mix while strengthening overall national security.
He said significant investment opportunities were also emerging in food grain and energy supply, ranging from government-to-government (G2G) arrangements to private-sector investment.
Security and investment climate
Salahuddin said the government was taking measures to strengthen security and technological protection, including digital security initiatives, the “Safe City” project under smart policing, “Integrated Border Management” for border security and e-visa facilities.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to providing comprehensive security for foreign investors and creating conditions conducive to long-term investment.
Atul Keshap said major US companies had been operating successfully in Bangladesh for several decades and were already among the country’s major investors.
Highlighting the country’s economic potential, Keshap said Bangladesh’s economy was expected to reach $1 trillion by 2034.
He said achieving that target would require stronger technical and managerial capacity, higher GDP growth and improved tax productivity.
Keshap also discussed how US companies could provide comprehensive support and work as development partners with the Bangladesh government.
The meeting was attended by the 16-member delegation of business leaders from the US-Bangladesh Business Council and senior officials from the home ministry.
