The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), the premier investment promotion agency of the Government of Bangladesh, is partnering with industry leaders to create a Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Heatmap. This initiative aims to strategically highlight sectors and sub-segments where Bangladesh demonstrates a competitive edge and substantial growth potential. The FDI Heatmap is being developed in collaboration with renowned global and local organisations, private sector specialists, and research institutions. Key stakeholders have been engaged to provide valuable insights and analyses, enabling BIDA to identify priority countries, regions, and anchor investors. Ashik Chowdhury appointed BIDA executive chairman The initiative marks a significant shift from traditional, reactive investment promotion to a more data-driven and strategic approach. “Investment promotion in Bangladesh has historically been reactive. The FDI Heatmap signals a shift towards data-driven, strategic engagement and exemplifies public-private collaboration. BIDA will also regularly update the FDI Heatmap through consultations with key experts and stakeholders, especially from existing and potential FDI source countries,” said Ashik Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of BIDA. The project, spearheaded by Nahian Rahman Rochi, the incoming head of BIDA’s new Business Development team, is set to deliver actionable insights by the end of November. BIDA’s partners in this initiative include the Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC), Standard Chartered Bank (SCB), IDLC, International Finance Corporation (IFC), PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Ernst & Young (E&Y), LightCastle Partners, Inspira Advisory and Consulting, Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), among others. With this initiative, BIDA aims to position Bangladesh as an attractive destination for foreign investors, fostering sustainable economic growth and enhancing the country's global competitiveness, said a media release on Monday.

The government is going to launch `Bangladesh IT Connect’, a virtual desk at the Bangladesh High Commission in the UK on June 03 to connect investors and partners, explore business and help attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), according to officials. They said the ICT Division in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will set up similar desks in three to four missions targeting the potential markets, including Japan, within six months.  “The purpose of setting up the virtual desk in foreign missions is to foster partnership and collaboration with the respective country’s IT companies and businesses through investment, trade and business match-making,” said State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak. He said Bangladesh has already emerged as an attractive destination for investment as 5 Hi-tech/software parks of the 39 are ready for business operation and many companies have long been running business there. “We hope the initiative will help achieve our target of $5 billion ICT export by 2025,” Palak said. Also read: Expect more FDI from Japan, says envoy as hosts flaunt 'win-win economy' The services to be provided through the virtual desk are to make available company profiles, arrange appointments for the Bangladeshi IT companies with UK based IT companies, Business to Business (B2B) match-making, information about Bangladesh, UK events and IT industry insight. “The virtual desk will greatly help the Bangladeshi IT companies utilise the potentials of the UK market as some of the IT companies have already stepped in there and many other companies are trying to enter the market,” said ICT Senior Secretary N M Zeaul Alam. Also read: Japan confirms largest-ever loan package to Bangladesh He said the desk will also help Bangladeshi IT companies for business-to-business match-making, rejuvenate trade and investment in the country as well as attract foreign investors to invest in Bangladesh. The LICT project of Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) under ICT Division is coordinating and providing support to the BNDA team and South Tech Group to develop the Virtual desk. IT-ITES Policy Adviser of LICT Project Sami Ahmed said a lot of development has taken place in the country’s IT sector and the local companies have long been exporting IT products to nearly 100 countries. The `Bangladesh Connect IT’ will work as a medium for the match-making of local IT companies and foreign IT companies to expand business of local companies and increase ICT export which is over $1b now, he said.  

The Industries Ministry on Wednesday stated that considering the country’s national economy, the production, supply, marketing, and sale of tobacco products should continue.