Bangladesh was on the top position in FDI inflow among South Asian countries while Nepal remained in the second position in 2018. Actual inflow of FDI reached the highest-ever level in the history of Bangladesh at $3,613.30 million, according to the report.
The information was disclosed at a media briefing organised by Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) at a city hotel on Monday.
Policy Research Institute (PRI) executive director Ahsan H Mansur presented the report while BIDA executive chairman Kazi M Aminul Islam presided over the function.
According to the report, Bhutan is in the lowest position in the foreign investment. However, the rate increased 24 percent in Nepal, 17 percent in Sri Lanka, 12 percent in the Maldives, 6 percent in India. On the other hand, the investment rate decreased 160 percent in Bhutan and 27 percent in Pakistan.
“Bangladesh saw the positive position in FDI inflow because of significant investments in major sectors that include $1012.01 million in power generation, $729.69 million in food, $408.08 million in textiles and wearing, $282.54 million in banking and $219.87 million in telecommunication,” it said.
As per the report, the FDI inflow from major countries in 2018 arranged in descending order of magnitude were - China ($1029.90 million), the Netherlands ($691.92 million), the UK ($ 370.58 million), the USA ($ 174.25 million), Singapore (US$ 171.06 million), Hong Kong ($ 169.78 million), India ($ 121.46 million), Norway ($ 108.10 million), Malaysia ($ 92.74 million) and South Korea ($ 72.97 million) which were 28.50 precedent, 19.15pc, 10.26pc, 4.82pc, 4.73pc, 4.70pc, 3.36pc , 2.99pc , 2.57pc and 2.02pc respectively towards the contribution of total FDI inflows.
Prime Minister’s adviser on private industries and investment Salman F Rahman expressed the hope that Bangladesh will improve its position in the ease of doing business index by the next one year.
Abul Kalam Azad, principal coordinator (SDG Affairs) at the Prime Minister’s Office, said, “We’re earlier busy with export and import but now we’re busy with investment.”
Kazi M Aminul Islam said, “It’s good that Bangladesh is doing well in economy while global economy is sluggish. Bangladesh is an immeasurable potential country.”
President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Sheikh Fazle Fahim said a revenue-friendly investment is necessary in the country for attracting more FDI.