State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam today highlighted that Bangladesh is actively working to attract the necessary investment to realize the government's vision of transforming the country into a $1 trillion economy. Speaking after a closed-door roundtable on 'Roadmap for Trade, Growth and Economic Diplomacy-2026: The Capital Dialogue' held at the Ministry, she stressed the importance of investment on the required scale.
The roundtable, which followed the 'Trade and Investment Conference' organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on June 13, saw participation from Prime Minister's Finance and Planning Adviser Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir and other key figures. The discussions focused on various aspects including deferment of Bangladesh's LDC graduation, the capital market, foreign direct investment (FDI), ease of doing business, and challenges faced by foreign investors.
Shama noted that the investment process is already underway, with investors from China, Japan, the United States, and other countries discussing opportunities across different sectors in Bangladesh. She mentioned that prospective investors are engaging with the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), the Commerce Ministry, and other relevant agencies.
The State Minister identified priority areas for investment, including energy, textiles, readymade garments (RMG), agriculture, agro-based industries, and the creative economy. She also highlighted the potential of the blue economy, noting interest from several European countries. Shama emphasized the Foreign Ministry's role in using economic diplomacy to identify new markets, sources of investment, and economic opportunities in coordination with relevant ministries.
In her remarks, Shama described the government's budget as a first step towards transforming Bangladesh into a vibrant economy. She said the Foreign Ministry plans to organize more such roundtables to identify problems confronting investors and bring stakeholders together to explore practical solutions. 'The investment process is already underway. Discussions are continuing,' she concluded.
