The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) organised a daylong learning session aimed at strengthening institutional capacity to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) into Bangladesh more effectively.
Titled “FDI and Investment Promotion Competencies”, the session brought together officials from a range of investment-related agencies, including BIDA, the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA), the Public–Private Partnership Authority, the Migration and Development Authority (MIDA), the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and Bangladesh Bank.
The training focused on practical case studies of FDI proposals from various countries, with participants examining common challenges faced during the investment facilitation process and discussing potential solutions. The objective was to enhance coordination and improve the quality of engagement with foreign investors across institutions.
During the session, BIDA’s Head of Business Development, Nahian Rahman Rochi, provided guidance on effectively articulating Bangladesh’s value proposition to international investors, with an emphasis on competitiveness, policy clarity and responsiveness.
BIDA Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury, underscored that attracting foreign investment was an ongoing and strategic effort. He said coordinated and impactful action by officials across all relevant agencies was essential to improving Bangladesh’s investment appeal, adding that timely and effective representation of the country played a critical role in investor decision-making.
Chowdhury also announced that, with support from North South University, BIDA would launch a Chinese language course for its officials after 15th January. He said the initiative was intended to improve direct communication with Chinese investors and would eventually be extended to officials from other investment promotion agencies.
The session also included remarks from Bijon Islam, chief executive officer of LightCastle Partners, and Ahmed Shaheen, additional managing director of Eastern Bank PLC, who shared perspectives on investor expectations, private sector engagement and the role of financial institutions in supporting FDI growth.
