The Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 is set to begin at the InterContinental Dhaka tomorrow, taking place at a critical juncture when foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows have plunged to a six-year low, raising concerns about the country's investment climate.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, in a message to global partners, extended a warm invitation to the summit, calling it an opportune moment to explore Bangladesh's investment potential.

"My friends, partners, and distinguished global leaders from around the world, it is my honour and pleasure to warmly invite you to the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025," Yunus said.

He highlighted the country's recent economic transformations, driven by progressive investment policies, and reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a level playing field for all investors.

"Bangladesh today stands out with its defining strengths -- solid economic fundamentals, globally competitive resources, and one of the highest returns on investment in the region.

"This summit serves as your gateway to data-driven insights into Bangladesh's most promising sectors. Join us and witness firsthand the immense opportunities our nation holds. Partner with us in shaping the future of one of the world's most dynamic economies."

Scheduled to run from April 7 to April 10, the summit aims to draw attention from global investors and underscore Bangladesh's evolving economic landscape.

More than 550 foreign investors from 50 countries have registered to attend, alongside 2,500 local participants.

Against this backdrop of political uncertainty, isolated incidents of labour unrest, and broader economic challenges, the summit is seen as a crucial platform to rebuild investor confidence, highlight economic reforms, and position Bangladesh as a competitive investment destination.

According to the Bangladesh Bank, FDI inflows declined by 71 percent year-on-year in the July–September quarter of FY25, dropping to $104.33 million -- the lowest in six years.

The country's total FDI stock stood at $17.68 billion as of September 2024, with the United Kingdom, Singapore, and South Korea emerging as the top three investors.

The UK leads the way with $3.05 billion -- primarily invested in banking, power, and pharmaceuticals. Singapore follows with $1.78 billion, and South Korea ranks third with $1.6 billion, driven by investments in manufacturing and telecommunications.

Many high-ranking officials and dignitaries are expected to take part in the summit, according to the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida), including Óscar García Maceiras, CEO of Inditex, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, group chairman and CEO of DP World, Kyeongsu Lee, vice-president of Samsung Construction and Trading Corporation, Jon Omund Revhaug, executive vice-president and head of Telenor Asia, and Han Jun-seokt, CEO of Giordano Korea.

Baroness Rosie Winterton of Doncaster, DBE, the UK's Trade Envoy to Bangladesh, Jarno Syrjälä, under-secretary of state for international trade at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, and Mike Orgill, senior director, public policy and government relations, APAC, Uber are also expected to feature.

At a press briefing held at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka on March 23, Ashik Chowdhury, executive chairman of the Bida, reaffirmed the government's commitment to fostering an investment environment anchored in economic stability and policy transparency.

He admitted that concerns persist, ranging from policy unpredictability to infrastructure bottlenecks. However, he underscored that Bangladesh's resilient economic growth, diverse industrial base, and ongoing reform measures signal a promising future for long-term investors.

Chowdhury also stressed that policy consistency, infrastructure development, and regulatory simplification will be critical in ensuring sustained investor confidence.

The summit will officially be inaugurated on April 9 by the chief adviser, alongside senior executives from multinational corporations.

The Bida hopes that the event will act as a turning point for investor sentiment, offering a platform to showcase the country's progress while allowing policymakers to engage directly with international stakeholders.