‘Invest in us, we'll invest in you’

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday rolled out the red carpet for local and foreign investors, pledging regulatory reforms, stronger legal protection and business-friendly climate as the government pursues its target of building a $1 trillion economy by 2034

"Today, I want to give you a simple message: the new, forward-looking BNP government wants your companies to invest and expand in Bangladesh. Whether you are a local entrepreneur or a foreign investor, when you invest in Bangladesh, our government will invest in you through our time, support and policies. That is a commitment we will keep," he said. The prime minister was addressing the Foreign Investors' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) FDI Conference 2026, themed "Driving Foreign Investment for Jobs and Prosperity in Bangladesh", at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre (BCFCC) in Dhaka. Praising the business leaders and investors present, he said their investments had "created jobs, introduced new technologies, strengthened global supply chains and contributed to Bangladesh's economic progress", for which he ex-pressed his gratitude. Drawing on his own background before entering politics, Tarique Rahman said, "I also started my career as a businessman. I have learnt that businesses do not succeed only because of entrepreneurial credentials or political promises, but partly succeed because of the government policies that support growth."

Acknowledging that Bangladesh faces challenges, he argued the country's strengths outweigh them. "We have a large and fast-growing domestic market, a young and hard-working population, a strategic location and an elected government with overwhelming public support. Together, these strengths position Bangladesh for sustained prosperity," he said, inviting investors to become "partners" in delivering the government's vision of a "rules-based, globally connected, private sector-driven economy".

Noting his government had completed five months in office, he said policy groundwork had begun well before the 13th parliamentary election. "We listened to investors, entrepreneurs, business associations, economists, development partners, and business leaders and your message was clear that Bangladesh needs stronger legal protection for investment, a modern regulatory framework, a simpler tax system, easier profit repatriation, a deeper capital market and better infrastructure," he said.

"We listened carefully and now we are acting accordingly." He said the government was modernising the legal and regulatory framework, strengthening investor protection, improving dispute resolution, simplifying tax and VAT administration, deepening the capital market, encouraging start-ups, cutting red tape and digitalising public services. Ports, logistics, infrastructure and energy security were also being upgraded, alongside a push for greater renewable energy investment.

"Our government is determined to build a one-trillion dollar economy by 2034. Our first budget pro-vides targeted incentives for priority sectors, including renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, electronics, digital services, agro-processing, advanced textiles, healthcare and logistics," he said, adding that Bangladesh was being positioned as a manufacturing hub with an expanding, diversifying garment industry. He closed with a direct appeal: "I invite every business leader in this room to become part of that future. Together, we can build an economy that is stronger, equitable and inclusive... Let us grow together, create jobs and shape Bangladesh." Senior government officials, policymakers, regulators, foreign diplomats, development partners, multinational executives, investors and media personnel attended the event, which opened with a documentary screening.