Indian, U.S. businesses eye investment in Bangladesh as trade ties grow

Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir said Saturday that businesses from India and the United States (U.S.) have expressed interest in investing in Bangladesh and proposed steps to improve the investment climate.

“Indian and US businesspeople have shown interest in investing in Bangladesh. They have also made some proposals and given suggestions to make the investment environment more conducive,” Muktadir told journalists in Sylhet.

He said Indian representatives want Bangladesh-India land ports to become fully operational, arguing limited operations raise raw-material costs. They also proposed joint initiatives with Bangladeshi businesses on infrastructure and digital development.

Muktadir said a U.S. trade delegation had also submitted investment proposals that the government is considering.

From April 2025 through March 2026, Bangladesh’s merchandise trade with India totaled about $12.37 billion. Bangladesh exported $1.78 billion to India and imported $10.59 billion.

Goods trade with the U.S. totaled about $11.73 billion during the same period, with Bangladesh exporting $9.37 billion and importing $2.36 billion.

He added that Bangladesh faces a trade deficit of more than $27 billion and said exports and overall trade need to grow substantially.