The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) on Wednesday (27 August, 2025) hosted the fourth edition of the State of Investment Climate – Bangladesh webinar, which featured an in-depth fireside conversation with Dr. Muhammad FouzulKabir Khan, Honorable Adviser to the Ministries of Power, Energy & Mineral Resources, Road Transport & Bridges, and Railways.
The session was moderated by Mr. Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun (Ashik Chowdhury), Executive Chairman (with the rank of State Minister) of BIDA and the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA).
In his opening remarks, Mr. Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun welcomed participants, highlighting Bangladesh’s resilience in the face of global economic headwinds. He underlined the country’s achievements in maintaining positive GDP growth, easing inflation, stabilizing the currency under a market-based regime, record remittances, and a recent surge in foreign direct investment (FDI). He also presented progress on 32 major reform initiatives spearheaded by BIDA to improve the ease of doing business and attract quality investment.
Dr. Muhammad FouzulKabir Khan, a distinguished economist, academic and former Secretary of the Power Division, outlined the government’s bold steps to transform energy security, transport efficiency, and logistics competitiveness.
On the transport and logistics sector, Dr. Khan said:
“We are developing an integrated multimodal transport plan for Bangladesh. By linking road, rail, waterways, and riverine communication with goods movement data, we will identify infrastructure gaps, reduce costs, and ensure faster and more efficient mobility. This is the backbone of a globally competitive economy.”
On renewable energy and sustainability, Dr. Khan announced several breakthrough measures:
- The Renewable Energy Policy 2025 has been approved, offering long-term tax holidays and reduced duties for solar technologies.
- The National Rooftop Solar Programme will equip all government offices, educational institutions, and hospitals with rooftop solar units under net metering.
- Over 3,000 MW of solar power is expected to be generated through rooftop and ground-mounted solar projects in the coming years.
- The government is facilitating large-scale private sector participation, including through merchant power policies that allow producers to sell directly to customers.
Addressing energy security and gas supply, Dr. Khan noted that Bangladesh is taking a balanced approach:
- Importing 104 LNG cargoes in 2025, compared to 84 last year.
- Disconnecting unauthorized gas connections to reclaim supply.
- Redirecting industries from inefficient captive gas generators to efficient grid-connected power.
- Introducing Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to ensure grid stability during solar fluctuations.
He further stressed that the government has dismantled past irregularities, including discontinuing the 2010 special contracting law, and has reduced unpaid energy liabilities from USD 3.2 billion to less than USD 700 million, thereby restoring investor confidence and supply security.
On the electric vehicle (EV) roadmap, Dr. Khan said:
“Bangladesh is moving firmly towards clean transportation. With World Bank support, we are introducing 450 electric buses and building EV charging infrastructure at existing petrol and gas stations. Investors in EV charging, EV imports, and operations will receive the government’s full support.”
He also confirmed that an updated Integrated Power and Energy Master Plan is under preparation, which will diversify the energy mix across gas, coal, nuclear, solar, and wind. “Our strategy is clear—we must diversify and ensure long-term sustainability. The next government will inherit a financially sound and forward-looking power and energy sector,” he added.
Concluding the webinar, Dr. Muhammad FouzulKabir Khan assured investors:
“Our ministries have no agenda of their own—the country’s agenda is our agenda. We are open, transparent, and fully committed to working with investors to realize Bangladesh’s potential as a global growth engine.”
Mr. Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun thanked Dr. Khan and all participants, noting that BIDA will circulate detailed responses to investor questions and share session materials online. He said:
“Bangladesh has entered a new era of confidence. With reforms, resilience, and bold new opportunities, the country is ready for global investors.”
