Dhaka: Several political parties in Bangladesh have collectively pledged their full support to the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) in its efforts to foster an investment-friendly environment. The commitment was made during a meeting aimed at discussing policy consistency, reform initiatives, and recent advancements toward ensuring a sustainable investment climate in the country.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the meeting took place at the BIDA conference room in the city, bringing together representatives from 16 political parties. The gathering provided a platform for these parties to share their insights and recommendations for improving the nation’s investment ecosystem. BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun presided over the meeting.
The political parties in attendance included Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party (NCP), Liberal Democratic Party, Gonosonhoti Andolon, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Amar Bangladesh Party, Nagorik Oikya, Bangladesh Jat
iya Samajtantrik Dal, Bangladesh Communist Party, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Islami Front, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan, Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (BASD), and Islamic Front Bangladesh. These parties emphasized the importance of prioritizing domestic and foreign investors alike in BIDA’s initiatives.
In his opening remarks, Ashik Chowdhury highlighted that investment and employment are crucial national interests transcending party politics. He acknowledged the existing challenges within Bangladesh’s investment landscape and expressed eagerness for productive discussions to address these issues over the next six to eight months.
BIDA’s Head of Business Development, Nahian Rahman Rochi, delivered a presentation outlining the organization’s activities, reform plans, and progress reports. Rochi identified five key issues hampering investment in Bangladesh: the quality of government services, policy continuity, industry consultation, corruption elim
ination, and resource access. These issues were identified through consultations with over 200 local investors and stakeholders.
During the meeting, political party representatives commended BIDA’s leadership for organizing the event and offered suggestions such as engaging with relevant ministries to develop a skilled workforce, enhance infrastructure, resolve legal complications, safeguard worker interests, and promote environmentally friendly investments.
The political parties also underscored the importance of prioritizing national sovereignty, regional security, and national interests in any investment-related decisions. In his closing remarks, Ashik Chowdhury assured attendees that all decisions would align with national interests and highlighted plans to showcase a separate reform plan for local investors in future presentations.
He reiterated that no compromises would be made concerning national interests and regional security, especially regarding the transformation of Chittagong Port into a world
-class facility. Chowdhury expressed optimism about maintaining constructive dialogues with political parties on a regular basis.