Invest Bangladesh plans incentive for mobilising FDI

Invest Bangladesh, the newly formed investment promotion agency created by merging three authorities, has prepared a guideline for a scheme that will offer eligible individuals 1.25 percent of the foreign equity they mobilise for investment in the country.

The scheme, the first individual incentive of its kind, will have a dedicated portal scheduled to go live on October 15, 2026, the agency said in a press release outlining progress under its 180-day investment plan.

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The agency is also working on a foreign investment pipeline worth $1.3 billion, of which more than $400 million has reached the investment decision or implementation stage.

China is the largest source of prospective investment, with $600 million in the pipeline, followed by the Middle East with $300 million, the United States with $200 million and South Korea with $100 million.

Renewable energy and information and communication technology (ICT) lead the pipeline by sector, with $300 million each.

Healthcare and textiles follow with $200 million each in prospective investments.

Invest Bangladesh said the figures cover prospective investments at different stages of the investment process and do not represent funds already disbursed.

INFRASTRUCTURE, SERVICES, INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The pipeline is part of the agency’s broader efforts under the 180-day plan to build a more structured pipeline and prepare investable opportunities for domestic and foreign investors.

Under the plan, the agency has reported progress on 20 initiatives across 14 of the 16 workstreams announced in March. The initiatives are grouped under three pillars: robust infrastructure, investment facilitation and investment development.

Key infrastructure developments include the groundbreaking of the Laldia Container Terminal and the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone.

At the New Mooring Container Terminal, final negotiations are under way with an international operator for a 15-year operations and maintenance lease. A development memorandum of understanding has also been signed for the Mongla Economic Zone.

Other measures include 24-hour operations at Chattogram Port, the planned launch of Dhaka Airport’s Third Terminal by the end of 2026, a proposed free trade zone in Chattogram, a public-private partnership solar plant in Feni and a third floating LNG terminal targeted for 2028.

On investment facilitation, Invest Bangladesh has started operations following the merger of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority and the Public-Private Partnership Authority.

Bangladesh and South Korea have agreed to a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, while the prime minister’s business dialogue mechanism has resolved 21 of the 28 issues raised by entrepreneurs. BanglaBiz has also introduced its three-day Business Starter Package.

Investment development efforts include the new foreign direct investment incentive scheme, the Hotel Shaibal tourism public-private partnership, blue economy development and nationwide investment mapping.

“This plan supports the government’s vision of an investment-led economy, more jobs and stronger local capabilities,” said Ashik Chowdhury, chairman of Invest Bangladesh.

“We focused on improving the conditions for investment through better infrastructure, more responsive services and a stronger pipeline of opportunities. Some changes are already in place, while larger projects will take more time,” he said.

“We committed to reporting back after 180 days. This update shows both the progress made and the work that remains,” Ashik added.