Global investors and prominent international brands expressed renewed confidence in Bangladesh’s economic potential and policy direction at the Bangladesh Investment Summit held in Dhaka. Throughout the four-day event, senior executives and trade delegates conveyed strong interest in expanding investments and forging deeper partnerships, particularly in the garments, healthcare, and infrastructure sectors reportedly.
Several leading companies including China’s Handa Industries, Spain’s fashion giant Inditex, Switzerland-based Holcim Group, and Baroness Rosie Winterton, the UK’s trade envoy to Bangladesh, showed fresh enthusiasm for investment in the country.
Major Deal with Handa Industries
Chinese apparel leader Handa Industries signed a $150 million investment agreement with the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA). Of this, $100 million will go towards textile and dyeing ventures within economic zones, while $50 million is allocated for garment production inside export processing zones.
The MoU was formalised by Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Executive Chairman of both BIDA and the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), and Heng Zeli, Chairman of Handa (Dhaka) Textile Co. Ltd.
Inditex Strengthens Its Ties
Inditex CEO Oscar Garcia Maceiras held a meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna. He commended the Chief Adviser’s address at the summit, describing it as deeply motivating. He emphasized that Bangladesh plays a crucial role in Inditex’s global sourcing network, highlighting the country’s business-friendly climate and its growing significance in adapting to evolving global trade shifts.
Maceiras shared plans to deepen ties through several new initiatives. Inditex will now sponsor higher education for at least 50 female workers from its local factories via a partnership with the Asian University for Women in Chattogram. Furthermore, the company is launching a Chair for Spanish Language and Culture at Dhaka University and preparing to introduce air cargo operations from Sylhet International Airport. The Chief Adviser welcomed these moves and urged further investment in garment worker healthcare services.
UK Looks to Collaborate in Health and Education
During her meeting with Professor Yunus, Baroness Winterton discussed broader cooperation, especially in health and education. The Chief Adviser noted the pressing shortage of nurses, framing it as both a national and global issue, and expressed interest in training more professionals to serve both domestic and international needs.
He called for greater UK engagement in strengthening Bangladesh’s healthcare sector, stating that government-run programs are struggling and could benefit significantly from international collaboration. He also encouraged partnerships in the pharmaceutical sector, particularly regarding lifting vaccine patent restrictions so that local manufacturing can be done under a social business model.
The conversation also touched on broader investment opportunities in modernising textiles, education, aviation, and defense, alongside a reaffirmation of Bangladesh’s dedication to women’s empowerment.
Earlier, Baroness Winterton addressed the summit and acknowledged British businesses’ eagerness to expand their footprint in Bangladesh. However, she noted that regulatory complications and bureaucratic delays remain challenges. She praised BIDA’s reform efforts, saying they are playing a key role in rebuilding investor trust and signalling that Bangladesh is ready for business.
Holcim Commits to Long-Term Investment
Martin Kriegner, a senior executive of Holcim Group and head of its operations in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, also held discussions with Chief Adviser Yunus. Their conversation revolved around cement consumption trends, environmental sustainability, and Holcim’s long-term plans in Bangladesh.
Holcim, the parent company of LafargeHolcim Bangladesh, is currently implementing waste-to-energy practices by using non-recyclable plastics as fuel at its Chhatak plant—an initiative claimed to have no negative environmental effects. The company is also exploring the possibility of replicating its international carbon capture technologies in Bangladesh.
Iqbal Chowdhury, CEO of LafargeHolcim Bangladesh, expressed optimism about business growth in the near future and mentioned the company’s new offering of construction aggregates, which could help reduce reliance on foreign imports.
Professor Yunus expressed appreciation for Holcim’s continued investment and reaffirmed the government’s supportive stance toward business and innovation. Kriegner also thanked the government for creating an enabling environment that allows the production of high-quality goods within Bangladesh and confirmed Holcim’s long-term commitment to the local market.
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