Bangladesh, Hong Kong sign investment protection deal

Bangladesh and Hong Kong on Wednesday signed an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (IPPA) aimed at increasing and safeguarding bilateral investment between the two sides.

The agreement was signed at the inaugural session of the 11th Belt and Road Summit 2026 held in Hong Kong, said a press release.

Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir and Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Algernon Yau signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides.

The agreement is expected to strengthen protection for investors and capital from both Bangladesh and Hong Kong while creating a more institutionalised investment environment and opening up new avenues for economic cooperation.

Hong Kong is currently Bangladesh’s seventh-largest source of foreign investment. The new agreement is expected to help attract increased investment from Hong Kong, particularly in promising sectors including readymade garments and textiles.

Over the past five years, Bangladesh has attracted around US$750 million in foreign direct investment (FDI) from Hong Kong. Of the amount, $122 million came in 2025.

Officials and stakeholders said the signing of the IPPA would give a more institutional shape to investment relations between the countries.

They expressed hope that the agreement would not only boost investment but also contribute to strengthening bilateral economic relations and help reduce the trade imbalance between the two countries.