Prime Minister Tarique Rahman Thursday invited foreign investors to partner Bangladesh in economic transformation into a US$1.0-trillion economy by 2034 through private sector-led growth, regulatory reforms and improved investment facilities.
Speaking at the inauguration of FICCI FDI Conference 2026 and Investors' Expo at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre (BCFCC), the prime minister said the government is pursuing a rules-based, globally connected economy backed by an elected government with a clear mandate.
"Our election manifesto provides a clear roadmap for economic transformation. We invite you not only to invest in Bangladesh but also to become partners in realising that vision," he told his business audience.
The daylong conference, organised by the Foreign Investors' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) under the theme 'Driving Foreign Investment for Jobs and Prosperity in Bangladesh', brought together nearly 600 participants, including policymakers, diplomats, development partners, multinational company executives, investors and business leaders.
Before inaugurating the conference, the prime minister visited the Investors' Expo and interacted with representatives of participating organisations.
Highlighting Bangladesh's investment potential, Mr Rahman said the country offers a large and expanding domestic market, a young workforce and a strategic geographical location.
And the government is modernising the legal and regulatory framework, strengthening investor protection, improving dispute resolution, simplifying tax and VAT administration, facilitating profit repatriation, and digitising public services to enhance the ease of doing business.
The government is also investing in ports, logistics, infrastructure and energy security while encouraging greater investment in renewable energy, he added.
"Our government is determined to build a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2034," the prime minister said, adding that the first national budget of his administration has introduced incentives for priority sectors, including renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, electronics, digital services, agro-processing, advanced textiles, healthcare and logistics.
He said Bangladesh aims to strengthen its manufacturing base by expanding and diversifying the ready-made garment sector while investing in skills development and new technologies.
President of the FICCI Rupali Haque Chowdhury said quality foreign investment will be crucial to sustaining economic growth, creating quality jobs and enhancing Bangladesh's global competitiveness as the country is on the cusp of post-LDC transition.
She noted that fostering constructive dialogue between policymakers and investors and presenting practical recommendations to improve the investment climate were the key objectives of the conference and the accompanying report.
The conference featured discussions on improving the investment climate, enhancing competitiveness and making Bangladesh a more attractive destination for foreign investors.
During the event, the chamber launched its FDI Report 2026, outlining policy recommendations to strengthen the country's investment environment.
Presenting the report, Dr Masrur Reaz, chairman of Policy Exchange Bangladesh, said Bangladesh could attract US$15 billion in annual foreign direct investment through policy reforms and effective implementation.
And the report provides a "roadmap" to get to that target, the economist added.
Participants in a high-level panel discussion, moderated by Mahdi Amin, spokesperson at the Prime Minister's Office, included Commerce, Industries, Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, Prime Minister's Adviser on Finance and Planning Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Prime Minister's Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Rehan Asif Asad, BIDA and BEZA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Investment and Capital Market Affairs Tanvir Shahriar Ghani.
The conference was supported by several multinational companies, with Standard Chartered Bangladesh and Robi Axiata PLC serving as platinum sponsors.
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