Dhaka, 3 December 2025 – The European Union and the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) convened a high-level EU–BIDA Business Climate Dialogue on 1 December 2025 in Dhaka, bringing together EU ambassadors, senior government officials, and leaders from major European companies to discuss key reforms needed to strengthen Bangladesh’s investment environment ahead of its LDC graduation. Jointly organised by the EU Delegation and BIDA, with support from the Netherlands Embassy and EuroCham Bangladesh, the dialogue gathered private-sector representatives from logistics, apparel, agriculture, energy, engineering, chemicals, finance, healthcare and technology, alongside officials from NBR, Bangladesh Bank, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Shipping, port authorities, SREDA, BSTI, and other regulatory bodies. EU Ambassador Michael Miller emphasized the shared ambition for a mutually beneficial investment partnership built on transparency, teamwork, and impartial implementation, announcing plans for the Bangladesh–EU Business Forum 2026. European private-sector leaders highlighted challenges ranging from fragmented customs jurisdictions, weak inland waterways, high compliance costs, and unfair competition, to urgent needs for customs modernisation, digitalisation, reduced import duties, simplified procedures, and structured engagement with Bangladesh Bank. They stressed that regulatory predictability, transparency, and ease of doing business are critical to attracting higher-quality European FDI. BIDA’s Nahian Rahman outlined ongoing reforms shaped by investor inputs, including improved inter-agency coordination, transparent progress tracking, and political consultations to ensure continuity. European ambassadors echoed complementary priorities—predictable regulations, governance safeguards, SME development, sustainable value chains, vocational skills, and improved international branding of Bangladesh—while government representatives, including Chittagong Port Authority Chairman Rear Admiral S. M. Moniruzzaman, detailed port modernisation plans such as digitalisation, Bay Terminal development, and 24/7 operations. BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun emphasized structural reforms, prioritisation of investor issues, and annual “result cards,” inviting European companies to expand operations as long-term partners. Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi called for a reform roadmap and early engagement with the EU in preparation for LDC graduation. The dialogue concluded with a joint commitment to collaborate on improving the investment climate using EuroCham working groups and to prepare together for the EU–Bangladesh Business Forum 2026.
