Bangladesh must increase annual foreign direct investment nearly sevenfold to $15 billion by 2030 to sustain growth and finance infrastructure, a leading foreign investors’ group said.
A Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry report said foreign direct investment represents only 0.29% to 0.36% of gross domestic product, the lowest among five regional peers.
The report identified policy uncertainty, bureaucratic delays, weak infrastructure, inefficient logistics and financial-sector problems as major barriers. Investors often wait six months to a year for approvals that are officially expected within about 76 days.
The chamber recommended a 30-day investment registration process, faster approval for priority projects, a unified digital service window and an independent investment ombudsman.
“Bangladesh has the potential to attract $15 billion in annual FDI through policy reforms and effective implementation,” said Masrur Reaz, chairman of Policy Exchange Bangladesh.