Bangladesh seeks to boost investment climate: PM

Bangladesh sets out investment, reform and development agenda at Bay of Bengal forum

Thebangladaily.com – Bangladesh is seeking to strengthen its appeal to investors through a combination of economic stability, institutional reform and expanded public services, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said at the opening of the Bay of Bengal Conversation 2026 in Dhaka.

Speaking on Saturday at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, Rahman presented the government’s five-year action plan as a framework intended to safeguard national interests while creating a more dependable setting for investment. The plan also places importance on consistent policies, stable economic conditions and changes within state institutions.

“We are moving from commitments to implementation.”

The three-day international dialogue runs from October 3 to 5 and is organised by the Centre for Governance Studies. Its fifth edition carries the theme, “Fragments, Frontiers, Futures: Navigating Power, Technology and Trust in a World Rewritten.” Organisers expect participation from more than 200 speakers, over 300 delegates and upwards of 1,000 attendees representing more than 100 countries.

Investment climate linked to policy continuity

Rahman’s address placed investment policy within a broader national development agenda. For businesses, a favourable investment environment is shaped not only by market opportunities but also by predictable rules, functioning institutions and confidence that major policies will remain steady over time. The prime minister said the government is working toward those conditions as it seeks to position Bangladesh as a competitive destination for investors.

The focus on implementation suggests that the administration wants its development commitments to be measured through practical results. The programme outlined in the speech spans public welfare, employment, agriculture, infrastructure, environmental protection and regional connectivity, showing how the government views economic growth as closely connected to service delivery and institutional capacity.

Public-service cards and grassroots healthcare

One major part of the plan involves widening access to government support through a series of card-based initiatives. Rahman said the Family Card, Farmer Card and Health Card would be used to reach more people with public services. The government also plans to introduce a Universal Card in the future, bringing multiple state services into a single system.

Such a system could make public assistance easier for citizens to access and help connect different services more directly. Its effectiveness, however, will depend on whether it can reach people consistently at the local level and operate in a way that is clear and accessible to users.

The prime minister also announced plans to hire 100,000 healthcare workers. Around 80 percent of those recruits would be women, he said. Their duties would include providing primary health support, offering health guidance and directing patients toward referral services where necessary.

The proposed workforce is intended to strengthen grassroots healthcare, where early advice and referrals can be particularly important for families seeking timely assistance. The emphasis on women workers also points to a substantial female role in the planned expansion of community-based health services.

Skills, technology and employment for young people

Education and employment formed another central part of Rahman’s remarks. He said technical and vocational learning would be expanded alongside general education, with the aim of helping young people develop skills relevant to work and enterprise.

Technology and artificial intelligence are expected to be part of that effort. The government intends to use these tools to improve skills and employment prospects for younger Bangladeshis while encouraging innovation, entrepreneurship and startup activity. The approach links education to changing labour-market needs and to opportunities created by new technologies.

For students and job seekers, the policy direction signals a wider focus on practical training as well as academic learning. Support for innovation and new ventures could also create more avenues for people seeking to build businesses rather than relying solely on conventional employment.

Agriculture, water management and environmental goals

Rahman described agriculture as one of the economy’s essential foundations and said the government is pursuing improvements in farmers’ access to technology, irrigation, agricultural finance and markets. It also plans to give greater attention to agro-processing and the export of agricultural products.

Improving the connection between production, processing and markets could add value to agricultural output while helping farmers and businesses participate more fully in supply chains. Better irrigation, financing and technology access are likewise central concerns for a sector that remains important to livelihoods and food production.

Water security featured prominently in the five-year programme. The government plans to excavate 20,000 kilometres of canals and waterways during that period. Rahman said work is continuing to advance the Padma Barrage project and to develop a master plan for the Teesta river.

These measures place water management alongside wider economic planning. Canals and waterways are relevant to agriculture, local transport and water flow, while large projects and river planning require long-term coordination. The stated plans indicate that the government sees water resources as a strategic issue for development.

Environmental commitments were also included. Bangladesh plans to plant 250 million trees in five years, while expanding solar power, recycling and environmentally sustainable industries. Together, these proposals combine tree planting and cleaner-energy efforts with a push for industrial activity that places greater weight on sustainability.

Reform, rights and the Rohingya crisis

On governance, Rahman said the government is reinforcing transparency and accountability across state institutions. He pledged support for human rights, democratic values, freedom of expression and equality before the law.

He also returned to the continued Rohingya refugee crisis, noting that Bangladesh hosts nearly 1.2 million refugees. The prime minister called for increased international political backing and financial support to enable repatriation that is voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable.

“The crisis originated in Myanmar, so its solution must also be found in Myanmar.”

The statement underscores Bangladesh’s position that lasting resolution depends on conditions inside Myanmar that allow refugees to return safely and willingly. The call for international support highlights both the humanitarian scale of the situation and the need for sustained global engagement.

Bay of Bengal as an economic gateway

Rahman portrayed the Bay of Bengal as an important route for deeper integration with the global economy. He pointed to seaports, waterways and the coastal economy as areas that can strengthen Bangladesh’s economic links beyond its borders.

Shipping, fisheries, tourism, energy and regional supply chains were identified as sectors with substantial potential. He also said cooperation across the region could grow in trade, energy, education, technology, climate matters and maritime affairs.

The message delivered at the forum combined domestic priorities with a regional outlook. By linking investment reforms, public-service expansion, environmental measures and maritime opportunities, the government has set out a broad development agenda whose progress will depend on translating its five-year targets into durable results.