Here’s an extensive blog post based on Mr. Ashik Chowdhury’s keynote at the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025. The speech got a tremendously positive vibe by the netizens.
In an electrifying keynote at the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025, Mr. Ashik Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of both the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), delivered a passionate, bold, and forward-thinking message to investors across the globe: “We are open for business — and we are here to win.”
From the very first words — a double “Good Morning!” delivered with humor and warmth — to the closing remarks that blended data with emotion, Mr. Chowdhury made it clear that Bangladesh is not just inviting investment. It’s rewriting its narrative.
Table of Contents
A Full House and Overflowing Optimism
Apologizing with a smile for the overbooked accommodations, Mr. Chowdhury pointed out the overwhelming interest in the summit as a “great problem to have.” The room was buzzing with ambition, energy, and vision.
The summit wasn’t just a showcase of statistics and policy changes — it was a statement. A declaration that Bangladesh is stepping into a new era of economic transformation and global partnership.
A Bold Leap into the Future: Bangladesh in 2035
Using the metaphor of the classic movie “Back to the Future,” Chowdhury painted a powerful picture of Bangladesh in 2035:
- A regional manufacturing powerhouse, not a rising one.
- A country that connects East to West, from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal.
- A logistics and export hub with world-class port infrastructure.
- A land where both global giants and local startups thrive, side by side.
This isn’t a distant dream — it’s a strategic goal, backed by action plans, investment, and reform. And the journey to that vision has already begun.
A Revolution Sparked by Youth and Change
Chowdhury shared a deeply personal story. On August 5, 2024, while he was in Singapore, his family — including his wife and brother visiting from Cambridge — were on the streets of Dhaka amidst a wave of peaceful protests.
Photos captured the moment: young people filling the streets, demanding transparency, democracy, freedom of speech, and economic opportunity. Chowdhury dubbed it the “August Revolution,” a pivotal moment that set the tone for today’s economic awakening.
“These youth don’t want Dhaka 2.0,” he said. “They want Dhaka to become the next Singapore or Bangkok — and they expect it in 5 to 10 years.”
Turning a Youth-Driven Vision Into Reality
Bangladesh already boasts a domestic market of 180 million, with nearly half under 25 years old. A middle affluent class of 35 million — equivalent to Malaysia’s entire population — is driving consumption and demand.
Chowdhury reminded investors that multinational companies who’ve operated in Bangladesh for decades have outperformed global markets in terms of returns. And the good news keeps coming: ShopUp, a local startup, just raised $110 million USD from Saudi Arabia’s PIF and Peter Thiel’s Valor Ventures, underscoring the global faith in Bangladeshi innovation.
Redefining the Market: From Local to Regional
The Bangladesh of tomorrow won’t just serve its own population. Chowdhury urged the audience to think bigger — to redefine the market Bangladesh can serve.
“Set up your factories here and export to the region,” he said. “Use our ports to push goods back and forth, and leverage Bangladesh as the region’s logistics nucleus.”
Port capacity in Chittagong is being tripled, and the aim is crystal clear: turn Bangladesh into South Asia’s gateway for trade.
From Listening to Action: Reforming With Purpose
The interim government didn’t just prepare for this summit with data. They conducted deep consultations with over 200 CEOs and entrepreneurs to learn, listen, and most importantly — act.
Their findings? A long list of challenges — “from Earth to the Moon and back,” as Chowdhury put it — but from that list emerged focused, prioritized reforms.
Here’s what’s already underway:
True One-Stop Service
Investors will no longer have to navigate the maze of ministries. Key agencies will be co-located in one central office, with relationship managers guiding investors through every step, just like in corporate banking.
Green Channel for Trusted Businesses
Through a partnership with the National Board of Revenue, Bangladesh has implemented the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program, offering fast-track customs clearance for trusted companies — saving critical time and money.
Private Sector Advisory Council
A new Private Sector Advisory Council will directly advise the Head of State. This ensures that the voice of entrepreneurs and businesses shape national economic policy — not just government agencies.
Long-Term Vision Meets Short-Term Wins
Alongside these quick wins, Bangladesh is initiating long-term reforms to align the country’s economic trajectory with global standards. That includes:
- Digitalizing investor services
- Strengthening investment protection laws
- Streamlining VAT registration and returns
- Creating dispute resolution mechanisms
- Expanding the capital market
- Rethinking export promotion beyond garments — into services, startups, and agribusiness
These efforts are setting the groundwork not just for more FDI, but better FDI — smarter, sustainable, and impact-driven.
Why You Should Invest in Bangladesh (And Why You Shouldn’t Do It Just for Profit)
As Mr. Chowdhury approached the end of his keynote, he offered a surprising twist:
“Yes, there are economic reasons to invest in Bangladesh. We have all the data, facts, and figures. But that’s not the reason I want you to invest here.”
His plea to global investors was not about numbers — it was about meaning.
“Invest in Bangladesh because of the transformational journey you’re going to be a part of. Because of our resilience. Because of our people. Because of our culture and shared values.”
Final Thoughts: A New Chapter Begins
The Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 wasn’t just a meeting of minds. It was the beginning of a new chapter — one where Bangladesh invites the world not just to invest, but to build, co-create, and grow together.
As Chowdhury signed off with grace and gratitude, the message was unmistakable:
The future is being built in Bangladesh — and the world is welcome to be part of it.
#Bangladesh2035 #InvestmentSummit2025 #EmergingMarkets #FDI #AsiaRising