The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) held a high-level investment seminar in Istanbul titled “Gateway to Growth: Invest in Bangladesh,” engaging Turkish business leaders, industrialists, and development partners to explore new opportunities in Bangladesh’s fast-growing economy.
According to a press release issued Thursday, the event hosted at Delta Hotels by Marriott, Istanbul Levent, brought together representatives from over 30 Turkish companies that are either investing in Bangladesh or considering entering the market.
Organized jointly by BIDA, the Embassy of Bangladesh in Turkey, and the Independent Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (MÜSİAD), the seminar was supported through technical cooperation by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) under the World Bank Group.
BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun delivered an address highlighting Bangladesh’s competitive investment climate and later held an interactive session with Turkish investors.
BIDA’s Head of Business Development Nahian Rahman Rochi presented the keynote outlining promising investment sectors including textiles, electronics, and renewable energy.
He said, “There has never been a better time to enter Bangladesh.”
“Macroeconomic indicators- from exports and currency stability to inflation- are at their most favorable levels in recent years. The government has rolled out 32 targeted reform initiatives to facilitate business entry.
“And for those exploring Bangladesh for the first time, BIDA provides full-spectrum support- from investment advisory to factory setup- through our One Stop Service platform.”
Executives from Turkish companies already present in Bangladesh also shared their experiences.
Baris Alparslan, CFO of Arcelik (owner of Singer Bangladesh), reaffirmed the group’s commitment to strengthening local supply chains and investing in workforce development and sustainable growth.
Ercument Polat, Assistant General Manager (Sales) of Aygaz, described the firm’s expansion in Bangladesh, citing BIDA’s efficient One Stop Service, a skilled workforce of over 200 employees, and a distribution network reaching nearly 3 million people nationwide.
Remarks were also delivered by Muhammet Huzeyfe Gulluoglu, Board Member of MÜSİAD, and Muhammad Mizanur Rahman, Consul General of Bangladesh in Istanbul. Both underscored the increasing economic synergy and mutual interest between Turkey and Bangladesh.
The Istanbul seminar marked a key component of BIDA’s strategic outreach mission led by Ashik Chowdhury, which includes senior representatives from BIDA, the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), the National Board of Revenue (NBR), and the banking sector.
As part of the mission, a series of Government-to-Business (G2B) meetings were held with major Turkish conglomerates across priority industries on 7-8 October.
BIDA is also working to establish enduring partnerships with leading Turkish trade and industry associations to institutionalize private sector collaboration between the two nations.
