Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has announced a new incentive package to boost foreign direct investment (FDI), saying that anyone-Bangladeshi or foreign-who brings foreign investment into the country will receive a 1.5 per cent commission on the invested amount.
He made the announcement on Wednesday during the parliamentary question-and-answer session in response to a supplementary question from reserved seat MP Begum Joharat Adib Chowdhury.
The session was chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad.
The prime minister said the initiative aims to encourage expatriate Bangladeshis and members of the diaspora to play a stronger role in attracting foreign investors to Bangladesh.
He said that the economy continues to face the “spillover effects” of corruption and flawed policies from previous administrations, but said the government is actively implementing reforms to improve the investment climate.
According to Tarique Rahman, longstanding complications related to the repatriation of profits by foreign investors have already been resolved through legal and policy measures.
He said this is expected to strengthen investor confidence and enhance Bangladesh’s competitiveness in the global investment market.
Responding to a supplementary question on interest rate policy, the prime minister said the government is reviewing the issue carefully, but cautioned that across-the-board reductions in interest rates do not always produce positive economic outcomes.
He added that any decision on reducing interest rates in specific sectors would be taken after detailed analysis of its impact on businesses and the wider economy, and no final decision has yet been made.
Reminding of a major government initiative to support local entrepreneurs, the prime minister further said that Bangladesh Bank has already established a Tk 6,000 crore special fund to assist genuine and credible businesses currently facing downturns or financial difficulties for various reasons.
Under the scheme, eligible and non-defaulting entrepreneurs are receiving loans at a 9 percent interest rate.
He also urged lawmakers to rely on updated information when assessing government policies, saying the government is working to boost investment and employment through deregulation and simplification of administrative procedures.
