UAE-Based Bangladeshi Business Leaders Propose AED 400 Million Investment in Bangladesh

A consortium of Non-Resident Bangladeshi (NRB) business leaders based in the UAE has put forward a substantial investment proposal amounting to nearly BDT 1,000 crore (approximately AED 400 million) to bolster Bangladesh's economy. The detailed plan was presented during a high-level meeting at the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) office, chaired by Jiban Krishna Saha Roy, Director General of BIDA’s Investment Promotion Wing.

Key Investment Sectors and Goals

The proposed capital inflow aims to drive industrial development, create widespread employment opportunities, foster technology adoption, and generate new avenues for foreign currency earnings. The UAE-based NRB entrepreneurs have identified several core sectors for their ventures, including:

• Modern digital and AI-driven Islamic banking
• Dry food processing
• Renewable energy
• Tourism
• Healthcare
• Digital rental management systems

Policy Support Requested

To facilitate the swift implementation of these projects, the delegation outlined several crucial policy and structural measures they require from the Bangladeshi government. These requests include the establishment of a dedicated One-Stop Service specifically for NRB investors, long-term allocation of government land, fast-tracked licensing procedures, and simplified processes for the repatriation of profits and dividends.

Expatriate Welfare Demands

Beyond direct investment incentives, the delegation also submitted a comprehensive 15-point demand list aimed at enhancing general expatriate welfare. Key recommendations feature establishing a 24/7 hotline for NRBs, fully repatriating deceased expatriates at state expense, increasing remittance incentives, and ensuring more affordable airfares.

Mohammad Rubel CIP, speaking on behalf of the delegation, emphasised that expatriates are vital stakeholders in Bangladesh's national economy, not just sources of remittance. He expressed confidence that with appropriate legal protections and structural support, these significant investment commitments could rapidly materialise.