The government’s ambitious plans to improve the cost and ease of doing business, attract foreign investment, diversify exports and promote balanced industrialisation across the country are certainly encouraging. At a time when Bangladesh is facing growing economic pressures and preparing for graduation from the Least Developed Country category, such initiatives are not only timely but essential.
The proposed measures rightly place emphasis on deregulation, digitalisation and better coordination among investment promotion agencies. Integrating investment-related services with the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority’s One-Stop Service and developing BanglaBiz as a single digital platform could significantly reduce delays, uncertainty and unnecessary interactions with government offices. If implemented properly, these reforms can make Bangladesh a more attractive destination for both domestic and foreign investors.
The strong investment interest already demonstrated through the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority is also encouraging. Investment proposals worth $717.71 million from 36 companies in FY2025-26, with the potential to create more than 75,000 jobs, indicate that Bangladesh still has considerable potential to attract investors. Plans to establish new economic and export processing zones in regions such as Patuakhali, Jashore, Rangpur and Sirajganj could further spread industrialisation beyond the traditional Dhaka-Chattogram corridor.
However, the success of these initiatives will ultimately depend on implementation. Bangladesh has no shortage of policies, strategies, committees and development plans. The major weakness has often been the gap between policy formulation and execution. Excessive bureaucracy, overlapping responsibilities, regulatory uncertainty, delays in approvals and informal barriers can undermine even the most well-designed investment policies.
Therefore, the government must demonstrate strong political commitment to implementing these reforms. Deregulation cannot remain a policy slogan; it must become a political agenda backed by clear accountability and measurable targets. Ministries, agencies and officials responsible for providing investment-related services should be held accountable for unnecessary delays and non-compliance with prescribed procedures.
Export diversification is equally urgent. The overwhelming dependence on ready-made garments leaves the economy vulnerable to external shocks and limits the country’s ability to fully exploit emerging markets. Greater support for jute products, pharmaceuticals, agricultural goods, light engineering, electronics, handicrafts, toys and other promising sectors is necessary. At the same time, Bangladesh must aggressively pursue FTAs, PTAs and EPAs to preserve market access after LDC graduation.
The proposed Tk 60,000 crore stimulus package could also play an important role in supporting agriculture, SMEs, export diversification and sick or closed industries. But financing alone will not be enough. Access to credit must be transparent, timely and free from political influence and bureaucratic complications.
Above all, investors need predictability. They need to know that rules will be transparent, approvals will be timely, taxes and regulations will be stable, and government agencies will facilitate rather than obstruct business.
The government therefore deserves appreciation for presenting an ambitious reform agenda. But the real test begins now. Strong political ownership, institutional coordination, bureaucratic accountability and strict monitoring will be essential to turn these plans into tangible economic outcomes.
We needs not another collection of promising policies, but a culture of effective implementation. Only then can the country attract investment, create millions of jobs, diversify exports and build a competitive, regionally balanced and resilient economy.
