Invest Bangladesh, formerly the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, into which the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority and the Public-Private Partnership Authority has been merged, has won the "Outstanding LDC Investment Promotion Agency" recognition at the WAIPA Investment Excellence Awards in Geneva, Switzerland.
Riaz Hamidullah, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations, accepted the accolade on behalf of Invest Bangladesh on Tuesday evening (local time). The award was presented as part of the 30th World Investment Conference, organized by the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) in Geneva from November 10 to 12. An independent international jury selected the agency after evaluating its activities against high international standards for least developed countries.
The international recognition highlights Bangladesh's ongoing efforts to improve its investment climate, strengthen support mechanisms, and build an efficient institutional framework for investors. It reflects key reforms undertaken by Invest Bangladesh and government partner agencies to streamline investment processes, enhance inter-agency coordination, and turn potential investments into real projects.
The reform journey began in 2025 with consultations involving nearly 200 local and foreign investors. Notable measures included expanding bonded warehouse facilities for partial exporters, easing foreign borrowing and capital repatriation, and resolving long-standing issues for major investors like Youngone through an inter-agency Ambassador program. Additionally, an FDI heatmap identified 19 priority sectors to guide foreign direct investment attraction.
Building on these initiatives, Invest Bangladesh launched a 180-day investment action plan in March 2026 to focus on infrastructure development, simplified government services, and project implementation, publishing its progress report in September. That same month, Invest Bangladesh was formed by consolidating several agencies, bringing investment promotion, economic zones, and public-private partnership (PPP) activities under a single authority.
The WAIPA jury specifically commended several landmark initiatives, including "Banglabiz"—an integrated digital investment service platform connecting investors to over 142 services across 47 government agencies. The agency's instrumental role in advancing APM Terminals' $550 million Laldia Container Terminal project was also highlighted.
Expressing his gratitude, Invest Bangladesh Chairman Ashik Chowdhury thanked the government, stakeholders, and staff for their dedication, noting that the award is the result of everyone's collective efforts.
Net foreign direct investment (FDI) in Bangladesh grew by approximately 39 percent in 2025. Invest Bangladesh is currently tracking potential investment proposals worth around $1.3 billion from various sectors and countries, prioritizing their conversion into actual projects to help establish Bangladesh as a regional manufacturing hub.