Dhaka:Shahnila Azhar has been appointed as Member (Policy and Research) of Invest Bangladesh, marking the first time a professional from the private sector has taken on the leadership of this division.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification today regarding her appointment under the Prime Minister's Office for a one-year term, effective from the date of her joining.
Expressing her enthusiasm, Shahnila Azhar highlighted the growing importance of enhancing the investment climate. "I am delighted to join Invest Bangladesh at this important time. I look forward to advancing reforms informed by evidence-based analysis and successful global practices to make investing and doing business in Bangladesh easier," she said.
With 25 years of experience in international development, Shahnila has a strong background in improving investment climates, market systems, and institutional reforms. She has held senior positions in international organizations, leading programs across South and Southeast Asia and East Africa.
In her previous role as Head of Private Sector Development at the UK's Department for International Development (DFID) in Bangladesh, she spearheaded various reforms to enhance the business environment and expand quality employment opportunities. Her efforts also extended to modernizing banking systems and enhancing workplace safety in the readymade garment sector following the Rana Plaza collapse.
Before Invest Bangladesh's formation, Shahnila contributed to simplifying processes for foreign investors with the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA). Her academic credentials include an MBA in Finance and International Business from Columbia University and a BBA from the Institute of Business Administration, University of Dhaka.
Invest Bangladesh, formed on August 20, 2026, through the merger of three authorities, serves as the apex investment promotion agency in the country. It integrates investment promotion, facilitation, economic zones, and public-private partnership activities to attract private investment and facilitate business growth. The agency comprises seven divisions, with Policy and Research being one of them.