Govt seeks more US investment, pledges level playing field for foreign firms

FE Team | Published: July 04, 2026 23:00:57

FE REPORT
The government on Saturday invited US companies to expand their investments in Bangladesh, pledging policy stability, equal treatment and a more business-friendly environment to boost foreign direct investment (FDI) and strengthen bilateral economic ties.
Prime Minister's Adviser and spokesperson Mahdi Amin made the appeal while addressing a programme marking the 250th anniversary of US Independence, organised by the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) in association with the US Embassy in Dhaka.
Terming the private sector as the primary engine of economic growth, he assured investors that the government is committed to restoring confidence through transparency, accountability, good governance, and the rule of law.
"The government will provide all possible policy support to facilitate investment," he added.
Acknowledging long-standing concerns over unequal treatment of foreign investors, he said the government was committed to ensuring a level playing field for both domestic and overseas businesses.
Highlighting Bangladesh's large domestic market, expanding middle class, and youthful workforce, Mahdi urged leading US firms to bring advanced technology, expertise, and global best practices to the country.
He identified aviation, energy, information and communication technology, agro-based exports, pharmaceuticals, textiles, light engineering and high-value manufacturing as prime sectors with strong potential for expanded Bangladesh-US cooperation.
"Bangladesh is at a crucial stage where we want to learn from international best practices and create an environment in which both local and foreign companies can thrive," he said.
He said recent policy initiatives included facilitating profit repatriation, pursuing liberal economic reforms and offering tax incentives in economic zones, industrial parks and high-tech parks. The government would continue consulting businesses and implementing reforms to further improve the investment climate, he added.
Mahdi also called for transforming "brain drain" into "brain circulation" by encouraging skilled Bangladeshi professionals abroad, particularly in the United States, to contribute to the country's economic and technological development.
He also invited American companies to organise investment roadshows in Bangladesh and engage more closely with policymakers to explore new business opportunities.
Speaking at the event, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen said Washington seeks to build a fair, reciprocal and long-term economic partnership with Bangladesh based on trade, investment and shared prosperity.
The United States wants to move beyond a relationship centred on unilateral trade preferences and development assistance towards one driven by fair and reciprocal trade and investment, he said.
"This is a vote of confidence in Bangladesh's potential, its dynamic private sector, young workforce and growing importance as a regional economic hub," he added.
The ambassador, however, said Bangladesh would need to accelerate reforms by reducing bureaucracy, tackling corruption, promoting competition and ensuring a more predictable business environment to unlock its full economic potential.
He said the proposed US-Bangladesh reciprocal trade agreement could deepen bilateral economic cooperation by promoting investment, job creation, skills transfer and long-term business engagement.
He also highlighted opportunities for greater collaboration in energy, technology, the digital economy, healthcare, defence, security and investment.
AmCham President Syed Mohammad Kamal said the chamber would continue serving as the primary platform for American companies exploring business opportunities in Bangladesh.
He said AmCham had played a key role over the past three decades in strengthening bilateral commerce by connecting US investors with Bangladesh's private sector and facilitating technology and knowledge transfer.
He added that American companies had made significant contributions to Bangladesh's economic growth and industrial development through investments in various sectors, including energy, the digital economy, aviation, healthcare and garments.
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