‘Bangladesh making enviable progress in South Asia’

Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) Executive Chairman Md Sirazul Islam has said that thanks to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's prudent leadership, Bangladesh has now become the best kept secret in South Asia in terms of economic development.  

The Bida chairman made these remarks while addressing a workshop as the chief guest on the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) index held at the Tourism Bhaban in the capital on Monday, said a media statement. 

Bida Member Md Billal Hossain presided over the event, while its Director Jibon Krishna Saha Roy presented Bangladesh's progress in EoDB indices, e.g., electricity, credit, protection of minority investors, and cross-border trading.

"We are targeting to become a middle-income state by 2025, followed by a higher middle-income country by 2031, and a developed one by 2041. To achieve this, mass economic development is the key, and the private sector will play a major role," said Sirazul Islam.

"The country's economy currently depends as much as 80% on the private sector."

"In the Ease of Doing Business Report 2019, Bangladesh was the 168th country out of 190 nations globally - eight notches up from the previous year. But the improvements, which we have made so far are not sufficient," the Bida chairman continued. 

The Bida chairman also pointed out the investment facilities currently being offered to investors to facilitate hassle-free business operations.

The Bida chairman also exchanged views with various stakeholder groups during the workshop.