Amcham Insights:Economic And Investment Outlook

• 16 Oct 2025
• 6:30 pm
• the Sheraton Dhaka

The American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) hosted an engagement session on “AmCham Insights: Economic & Investment Outlook”, on October 16, 2025, at the Sheraton Dhaka.

Dr. Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), and Mr. Shah Mohammad Mahboob, Executive Member, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) graced the program as guest speakers. The event was supported by Phillip Morris Bangladesh Ltd.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Syed Ershad Ahmed, President of AmCham Bangladesh, highlighted that the country is undergoing a transitional phase marked by key reforms, including logistics infrastructure management, the separation of the NBR into two distinct functions, and strengthened banking governance. These efforts, he noted, reflect a strong intent to build a more resilient and investment-friendly economy. However, to attract greater investment, he emphasized the need to ensure energy security, curb corruption, and maintain long-term policy consistency to reinforce investor confidence.

Dr. Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), shared her insightful analysis on “Economic Outlook of Bangladesh: Current Trends and Future Prospects,” noting the nation’s critical transition ahead of LDC graduation in 2026.

She observed that GDP growth has slowed to around 4%, with rising remittances and exports providing some relief amid persistent inflation (9.45%) and stagnant wage growth. Highlighting rising financial vulnerabilities, with NPLs over 20%, the highest in Asia—and private investment at a five-year low, she called for urgent reforms in fiscal management, energy governance, and banking sector oversight to restore confidence and stability. Dr. Khatun underscored the need for policy stability, export diversification, and inclusive employment creation to sustain growth and resilience beyond LDC graduation. Looking ahead, she emphasized export diversification, climate resilience, and inclusive employment generation as critical long-term priorities to sustain growth and competitiveness beyond LDC graduation.

Mr. Shah Mohammad Mahboob, Executive Member of BIDA, shared enlightening insights on Bangladesh’s investment outlook, highlighting its macroeconomic resilience and reform-driven climate. He noted inflation’s fall from double to single digits, a 12.5% stock market rally, rising foreign reserves, and FDI more than doubling year-on-year—boosted by successful U.S. tariff talks and growing interest from China and South Korea. He emphasized structural reforms in banking, tax policy, and asset recovery as vital for investor confidence and sustained growth, and outlined BIDA’s recent initiatives, such as co-locating agency officials, holding monthly coordination meetings with NBR, and deploying relationship management teams to strengthen the investment ecosystem.

Mr. Mustafizur Rahman, Joint Secretary (WTO), Ministry of Commerce, highlighted Bangladesh’s proactive trade diplomacy, including CEPA/FTA negotiations with key Asian partners, including Japan, Korea, and a successful tariff reduction deal with the USTR to safeguard exports post-LDC graduation. Ms. Sultana Yasmin, Joint Secretary, noted that the Ministry of Industries implements the National Industrial Policy 2022, focusing on private-sector growth, exports, and SMEs. Key initiatives include digitisation through OSS and online approvals, revision of key sectoral policies, and formulation of the Electric Vehicle and updated Logistics Policies. She stressed strong inter-ministerial coordination to boost investment and trade.
Mr. Md Bodruzzaman Munshi, Second Secretary, NBR, shared recent trade facilitation measures such as reduced Advance Tax, policy formation for Free Zone facility, Bank Guarantee Facility, Digital Record-Keeping, Import-Export Hub, and the launch of the Bangladesh Single Window for streamlined cross-border trade and enhanced global competitiveness.

At the final phase of the event, an interactive engagement session took place, moderated by
Mr. Chowdhury Kaiser Mohammad Riyadh featuring Mr. Syed Ershad Ahmed, Dr. Fahmida Khatun, Mr. Shah Mohammad Mahboob, and Ms. Sultana Yasmin. The event brought together AmCham members, economists, business leaders, scholars, development partners, and senior representatives from the Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Energy & Mineral Resource Division, NBR, and BIDA for an open dialogue on Bangladesh’s investment climate, reform priorities, and future economic prospects.

AmCham Treasurer, Mr. Al Mamun M Rashel & Managing Director of NATco Bangladesh, and AmCham Executive Committee Member, Mr. Rashed Mujib Noman, Managing Director of Augmedix, were also present at the event.