FDI into Bangladesh jumps 114% to US$865 million in Q1/2025

Despite braving numerous domestic challenges following the changeover of power last year, Bangladesh has experienced a big surge in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flow due to the government’s wholehearted efforts for creating investment friendly environment.

According to the data of Bangladesh Bank (BB), net FDI to Bangladesh rose to US$864.63 million in the first quarter (January-March) of 2025 amid volatile political and economic situation across the world. The amount was 114.31 percent higher from US$403.44 million notched in the same period of 2024.
The latest foreign investment was also 76.31 percent higher than in the October-December period of 2024, when the country received a net amount of US$490.40 million.

Inflow of equity investments also rose significantly year-on-year to US$304.38 million during January-March 2025, up from US$188.43 million in January-March 2024.
Experts and economists observed that the figures represent a significant ‘vote of confidence’ in Bangladesh's investment potentials despite ongoing macroeconomic challenges, including a volatile currency, high inflation, and rising external debt.

On the current investment scenario, Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud told the media that the required investment now both in the public and the private sector is still less against the expectations while the biggest reason for this is that a fast solution to this is very tough.

Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun said BIDA and BEZA are focusing on four main priorities: fast-tracking high-impact investment projects, expanding and improving One-Stop Services, solving problems faced by investors, and creating a strong pipeline of major investments.
“We’re putting in significant efforts to ensure that investors receive comprehensive support and the assurance that their investments in Bangladesh will be secured and profitable,” he added.

Meanwhile, to attract more investment in the country, BIDA has launched its newly designed website which is playing an important role in facilitating the investment infrastructure of Bangladesh. It has updated important services for investors, policy guidelines and information on designated focal points of various ministries and investment-related organizations. BIDA's logo has also been redesigned.

BIDA has also launched a revamped version of its One-Stop Service (OSS) portal, aiming to further enhance service delivery for both domestic and foreign investors. The OSS portal, initially introduced on February 24, 2019, currently has integrated services from 35 government agencies, 12 banks, and 5 chamber associations, offering over 133 services for business organizations.

In the Fiscal Year 2024–25, BEPZA Executive Director Abu Sayeed Md Anwar Parvez said that enterprises operating within BEPZA’s EPZs and Economic Zone invested US$292.77 million in capital machinery, construction materials, and other fixed assets (excluding working capital).

The signing of 33 new investment agreements in FY 2024–25 marks a significant milestone for BEPZA, he added. Parvez mentioned that investors from China, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the British Virgin Islands, Singapore, India, the United Arab Emirates, and Bangladesh entered into agreements to set up industrial units.

“The total proposed investment under these agreements is $497.48 million, with an estimated employment potential of 59,408 Bangladeshi nationals. These enterprises will produce a wide range of goods, including readymade garments, electronics, agro-based products, footwear, leather goods, packaging materials, tents, wigs, light engineering products, toys, and composite items,” he added.
He said once become operational, these investments are expected to accelerate the actual investment inflow in the current fiscal year (FY26).