Unstoppable Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s progress has been remarkable. And forecasts suggest that it’s just getting started.
“Bangladesh is a secular country with a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism.”
SHEIKH HASINA
PRIME MINISTER OF BANGLADESH
“The opportunities for high ROI make now the best possible time to invest in Bangladesh.”
PROF SHIBLI RUBAYAT-UL-ISLAM
CHAIRMAN OF THE BANGLADESH SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Bangladesh is a quiet success story. Since becoming independent in 1971, it has steadily progressed from the second-poorest country in the world to being proclaimed “a model for poverty reduction” by the World Bank, all while remaining democratic and committed to protecting human rights and the environment.
From 2010 to 2020, Bangladesh achieved the world’s highest cumulative GDP growth. In a decade and a half, it lifted more than 25 million people out of poverty. Last year, the UN confirmed that Bangladesh would graduate from the least developed countries category by 2026, making it just one of a handful of countries to do so. But the nation’s ambitions remain as strong as its momentum. According to government plans, the country is on track to become a developed nation by 2041.
Infrastructure is one of the keys to unlocking more growth, and the government has committed $40 billion to help finance its development. The recently inaugurated Padma Bridge is a powerful symbol of what’s to come. The 3.7-mile road and rail bridge connects lesser developed areas of the country with the capital, Dhaka, and is predicted to boost GDP by around 1.23% per year. The government is actively welcoming foreign investors and businesses to partner in more transformative infrastructure projects.
The Bangladeshi economy is also primed for continued export growth. Besides being home to the world’s second-largest readymade garment sector — exporting more than $30 billion worth of fashion each year — the country’s leather, jute, IT services, pharmaceutical, agriculture and high-tech export sectors are all on the rise. The Asian Development Bank forecasts GDP growth of 6.9% in 2022 and 7.1% in 2023.
Demographics are another tailwind for the world’s eighth-most populated country. The median age in Bangladesh is 27.9, compared to 38.1 in the US, 38.4 in China or 44 in the European Union. Its young, digitally savvy population not only signifies a booming domestic market, but vast human resources that can work towards solving some of humanity’s most pressing problems.
Despite its macroeconomic stability, open economy and abundant opportunities, Bangladesh has comparatively lagged in terms of foreign direct investment. According to UK firm Lloyds Bank, much of this is due to negative misconceptions. However, Lloyds argues that its strategic geographical position, natural resources, strong domestic consumption, private-sector-led growth, strong foreign currency reserves and recently simplified laws for foreign investors make Bangladesh a compelling candidate for investment.