UNDP, UNCTAD, BIDA launch report urging faster investment reforms

The “UNCTAD Investment Policy Review (IPR) Implementation Report” was unveiled at a high-level dialogue in the capital, bringing together policymakers, business leaders and development partners to assess progress and identify priorities for improving the country’s investment climate.

Speaking at the event, BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun said the report comes at a right moment for the country. "While global investment is currently slowed by geopolitical tensions, we are using this period to enhance our readiness. Our goal is to ensure that when global conditions shift, Bangladesh is in a more advantageous position to welcome investors," he said.

He emphasised that BIDA’s next phase will focus on implementation, coordination, and ensuring a predictable environment for investors through a more unified state mechanism.

Sonali Dayaratne, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, noted that strong investment policies and institutional capacity are vital for attracting "responsible and impactful" investments.

She highlighted that such investments are essential for creating decent jobs, fostering innovation, and ensuring inclusive growth after the country’s LDC graduation.

The 2026 IPR Implementation Report, prepared by UNCTAD at the request of BIDA, assesses a decade of progress following the original 2013 review. While the report noted significant strides in expanding digital investment services and establishing BIDA as the lead agency for investment facilitation, it also identified critical areas for further reform.

These include the formulation of a comprehensive and integrated national investment policy, introduction of a unified investment law to streamline regulations and completing the transition to fully digital investment processes to improve ease of doing business.

The event featured a video message from Nan Li Collins, Director of the Investment and Enterprise Division at UNCTAD, and a keynote presentation by Kiyoshi Adachi, Legal Officer at UNCTAD.

A high-level panel discussion, moderated by UNDP Bangladesh Country Economic Advisor Owais Parray, featured insights from Sohana Rouf Chowdhury, Managing Director of Rangs Group; Dr M Masrur Reaz, Chairman of Policy Exchange Bangladesh; and Ferdaus Ara Begum, CEO of BUILD, among others.

The dialogue was organised under the Transformative Economic Policy Programme (TEPP), implemented by UNDP Bangladesh with support from the UK government, aimed at strengthening economic governance through evidence-based reforms, reports UNB.