According to recently released economic statistics, foreign direct investment (FDI) in Bangladesh has increased by 19.13 percent in the first year after the ‘mass uprising’, setting an economic precedent that is completely opposite to the global trend. Usually, foreign investment declines after major political changes, but Bangladesh has emerged as the only exception to this trend.
A World Bank analysis shows that in countries around the world that have experienced mass uprisings in recent years, FDI has declined significantly in the following year. For example, during the same period, FDI in Sri Lanka (after 2022) has decreased by 19.49 percent, in Chile (after 2019) by 15.68 percent, in Sudan (after 2019) by 27.60 percent, in Ukraine (after 2014) by 81.21 percent, in Egypt (after 2011) by 107.55 percent and in Indonesia (after 1998) by 151.45 percent. In contrast to this continuous downward trend, the reverse picture of FDI in Bangladesh is a 19.13 percent increase, which reflects the deep confidence of the international community in the stability of the country’s economy and the favorable investment environment.
In this context, Mr. Ashiq Chowdhury, Executive Chairman (State Minister rank) of BIDA, said, “The greatest quality of Bangladesh is its uncanny ability to bounce back despite a hundred adversities. This statistic is a great reflection of that. Usually, foreign investment decreases drastically in the post-people’s uprising period. But we are seeing the opposite. Starting from setting the right economic policy, the sincerity of Bangladesh Bank, NBR, etc., the unwavering desire of our private sector, and the collective efforts of everyone, this has happened. We have always tried our best to help investors. Of course, not all problems have been solved. But there was no lack of goodwill. We will soon publish a report card of our entire year.
