DHAKA, Sept 1, 2025 (BSS) – Experts at a roundtable today focused on strengthening the investment climate to unlock local and foreign private sector potential.

They observed that Bangladesh’s economy has faced macroeconomic challenges since 2022, compounded by structural weaknesses such as low investment, limited export diversification, weak FDI inflows and a fragile logistics system. 

Since the interim government took office in 2024, reform efforts and governance measures have raised hopes of recovery, they mentioned. 

 The Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) and the Policy Exchange Bangladesh (PEB), supported by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), inaugurated the investment climate roundtable session titled “Path to Economic Turnaround: How Business Environment Fares and Priorities”.

The roundtable was graced by Mahbubur Rahman, Secretary, and Ministry of Commerce, as chief guest, with special guests Shah Mohammad Mahboob, Executive Member of BIDA, and Ben Carson, Trade & Investment Commissioner of Austrade.

Dr. Masrur Reaz, Chairman and CEO of Policy Exchange Bangladesh, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the urgency of improving the business climate and setting investment priorities. 

Panellists Mohammad Iqbal Chowdhury, CEO of Lafarge Holcim Bangladesh; Asif Ibrahim, Vice Chairman of Newage Group and Doulot Akter Mala, President of ERF, contributed insights on the key challenges and opportunities shaping Bangladesh’s economic landscape.

The session was also attended by high-level representatives including Debra Boyce, Senior Trade Commissioner at the Canadian High Commission; Kazuiki Kataoka, Country Representative of JETRO; Ahmed Shaheen, Additional Managing Director of Eastern Bank Ltd.; Shams Mahmud, Managing Director of Shasha Denims; Mehruna Chowdhury of UNDP; Hossain Sadat, Senior Director at Grameenphone and Snehashish Barua, Managing Partner of Snehasish Mahmud & Company (SMAC), alongside other distinguished participants from government, industry, and the diplomatic community.