Staff Reporter :
In a bid to strengthen investor confidence, Bangladesh Police has introduced a dedicated emergency contact line for foreign investors, enabling them to report incidents and receive swift assistance. The announcement was made on Monday by the Office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), as detailed in a press release from the Chief Adviser’s Office.
The initiative follows a high-level meeting held at the Bangladesh Police headquarters in Dhaka, where IGP Baharul Alam and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun
met with representatives from six foreign companies affected by recent unrest. These companies were among those whose facilities were vandalised during nationwide protests that erupted in response to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
Representatives from major international companies such as Nestlé Bangladesh, Coca-Cola Bangladesh Beverages, Unilever Bangladesh, Bata Shoe Co. Bangladesh, Reckitt Benckiser Bangladesh, PepsiCo, and Jubilant FoodWorks Bangladesh attended the meeting.
The session, co-chaired by IGP Baharul Alam and Bida’s Executive Chairman, sought to address the concerns of businesses impacted during the April 7-8 demonstrations in multiple cities.
Law enforcement authorities confirmed the arrest of at least 140 individuals and the filing of numerous cases related to incidents of vandalism. Commenting on the meeting, Bida’s executive chairman described the engagement as both timely and significant. “Having the IGP, senior police officials, and our Bida team engage directly with business leaders under one roof was a groundbreaking move,” he said. “This demonstrates Bangladesh’s commitment to protecting its investors, even in challenging times.”
The executive chairman also noted the vital role these companies play in supporting the livelihoods of thousands of Bangladeshis, adding, “While we uphold the right to protest, targeting institutions that drive employment and economic growth is not the solution.”
During the meeting, company representatives provided detailed accounts of the damages they sustained, operational disruptions, and the impact on their workforce. In response, the IGP’s office confirmed that affected businesses would now have direct access to a dedicated emergency hotline for real-time reporting and assistance, ensuring rapid support for any future incidents.
“We’re not just here to react-we’re here to reassure and prevent future disruptions,” said IGP Baharul Alam, reaffirming the full cooperation of law enforcement agencies.
As part of the discussions, a set of preventive measures was outlined, including updated security protocols, rapid response units, and enhanced crisis communication systems. These initiatives, developed in collaboration with Bida, the police, and business associations, aim to strengthen investor confidence and build resilience in Bangladesh’s economic landscape.
“This isn’t merely a reactive measure-it’s a forward-thinking strategy,” said the Bida chief. “Above all, it signals the government’s unwavering commitment to supporting investors through both prosperity and adversity.”
Business leaders expressed appreciation for the proactive steps taken by Bida and the police, reassuring their commitment to continuing operations and expanding their presence in Bangladesh. This initiative forms part of Bida’s broader efforts to maintain Bangladesh as a secure, sustainable, and investor-friendly destination, aligning with the priorities of the current interim government.
