PRESS
RELEASE

Invest Bangladesh has announced a public update on the 180-day investment plan unveiled on 16 March 2026, reporting on progress at the close of the plan period.

The plan organised work under three pillars: robust infrastructure, investment facilitation and investment development. The update presents 20 initiatives across 14 of the 16 workstreams announced in March.

“This plan is our contribution to the government’s vision of an investment-led economy, greater job creation and stronger local capability,” said Ashik Chowdhury, Chairman of Invest Bangladesh. “We set out to improve the conditions in which investment happens: better infrastructure, more responsive services and a stronger pipeline of opportunities. Some changes are already in place; larger projects will take longer to deliver. We committed to report back after 180 days, and this update shows both the progress made and the work ahead.”

Pillar 1: Robust infrastructure

The infrastructure pillar has centred on port modernisation, economic zone development, alternative energy supply and the productive use of public assets.

1. Laldia Container Terminal — Groundbreaking has been completed for the USD 550 million project, with APM Terminals targeting delivery in 2030. Once operational, the terminal is expected to create more than 700 direct jobs and increase port capacity by 44%.

2. New Mooring Container Terminal — Final negotiations are in progress with an international terminal operator for a 15-year operations and maintenance lease. The partnership is intended to improve port efficiency and shorten export lead times.

3. Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone — Groundbreaking has been completed, with China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) targeting completion by 2028. The zone has an expected investment pipeline of USD 1.3 billion, including an active pipeline of USD 500 million, and is projected to create more than 100,000 direct jobs.

4. Mongla Economic Zone — A development memorandum of understanding has been signed with China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the 110-acre site adjacent to Mongla Port. The proposed USD 650 million investment will focus on agro-based industries and light engineering.

5. Port modernisation — Chattogram Port has introduced round-the-clock port operations, customs clearance and banking services. The changes are intended to allow businesses to complete essential processes throughout the day.

6. Dhaka Airport’s Third Terminal — Operations are targeted to begin by the end of 2026. The terminal’s planned cargo facilities would increase annual handling capacity from 200,000 to 500,000 tonnes, a 150% increase, and are expected to support more than 6,000 direct jobs.

7. Free Trade Zone — The policy framework is being finalised for a proposed free trade zone covering more than 600 acres in Chattogram. Land-related processes and PPP structuring are continuing.

8. First PPP solar plant — Project development is under way for a solar power plant on 412 acres within the National Special Economic Zone in Sonagazi, Feni. Guidelines for solar plants on government land have been approved, and outreach to domestic and international investors has been completed.

9. Third FSRU — Delivery of a third floating storage and regasification unit at Kutubjom, Maheshkhali, is targeted for 2028. The facility is designed for a base capacity of 600 million cubic feet a day and a peak capacity of 750 million cubic feet a day, supporting resilience in Bangladesh’s LNG supply.

10. SOE investment portfolio — A portfolio of 44 opportunities across five agencies, covering more than 10,000 acres of industrial land, has been identified for private investment in state-owned assets. A national policy to guide private participation is in development.

Pillar 2: Investment facilitation

This pillar has focused on bringing investment services together, improving direct engagement with businesses and strengthening Bangladesh’s international investment links.

11. Invest Bangladesh begins operations — The merger of BIDA, BEZA and the Public-Private Partnership Authority has brought investment promotion, economic zones and PPPs under one institution. The new framework is intended to give investors a more integrated route to facilitation, land and PPP support, backed by mandatory service integration and private-sector leadership expertise.

12. Korea–Bangladesh CEPA — Bangladesh and South Korea have concluded their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. The agreement offers preferential access for 97% of Bangladeshi goods, including duty-free access for 8,428 products, while opening further opportunities across manufacturing, infrastructure, electronics and other higher-value sectors.

13. Prime Minister’s meeting with entrepreneurs — A regular mechanism has been established for direct dialogue between the Prime Minister and business leaders. Action has been taken on 21 of the 28 issues raised in the first round, equivalent to 75%, and two dialogues have been held within four months.

14. BanglaBiz expansion — The three-day Business Starter Package is now live on BanglaBiz, providing a more streamlined route through initial business procedures. Development of a 14-day Business Readiness Package and the integration of priority services across government agencies are continuing.

15. Invest Bangladesh office in China — Consultancy procurement has been completed and Chinese consultants have been engaged for the Invest Bangladesh office in Guangzhou. The office is targeted to go live in October 2026, providing a direct channel for investor engagement in southern China.

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Pillar 3: Investment development

The investment development pillar has focused on building a more deliberate investment pipeline, preparing investable opportunities and identifying sectoral and regional potential.

16. FDI incentive scheme — Guidelines have been approved for a scheme offering eligible individuals 1.25% of the foreign equity they mobilise for investment in Bangladesh. The country’s first such individual incentive, for which a dedicated portal has been prepared, is targeted to go live on 15 October 2026.

17. Investment pipeline — The investment pipeline stands at USD 1.3 billion, with more than USD 400 million having reached the investment-decision or implementation stage. Leading sources are China at USD 0.6 billion, the Middle East at USD 0.3 billion, the United States at USD 0.2 billion and South Korea at USD 0.1 billion. Renewable energy and ICT lead by sector at USD 0.3 billion each, followed by healthcare and textiles at USD 0.2 billion each. These figures describe prospective investments at different stages rather than funds already disbursed.

18. Hotel Shoybal Tourism PPP — Hotel Shoybal has been selected as the first pilot PPP for private investment in public tourism assets. A transaction advisor has been appointed and a feasibility study is under way for the 132-acre site. If successful, more than 50 tourism assets will enter the PPP pipeline.

19. Blue economy development — Longer deep-sea fishing voyages of up to three months have been permitted, and investors are considering the purchase of more than seven deep-sea vessels. Preliminary work on an aquaculture zone has also entered the pre-feasibility stage under the Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority.

20. Nationwide industry mapping — Invest Bangladesh is undertaking the country’s first comprehensive investment mapping exercise in partnership with the Asian Development Bank and SANEM. The work covers all eight divisions and key sectors, bringing together domestic and foreign investment data to identify regional opportunities, constraints and supporting infrastructure requirements.

Invest Bangladesh will continue to publish public updates on initiatives affecting the investment climate and wider investment ecosystem. As the separate wings established under the new authority move forward, their performance will be tracked against competitive indicators aligned with the government’s vision and international investment-promotion practice