Record 19.13 percent growth in FDI in the economy in the first year after the uprising

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country has increased by 19.13 percent in the first year after the uprising. This has set an economic precedent completely opposite to the global trend. This information has been revealed from the recently published World Bank economic statistics.

Usually, foreign investment decreases after major political changes. But Bangladesh has emerged as the only exception to this trend.

An analysis of World Bank data shows that in the countries where mass uprisings have occurred in recent years, FDI has decreased significantly in the following year. For example, FDI in Sri Lanka has decreased by 19.49 percent since 2022, in Chile by 25.68 percent since 2019, and in Sudan by 27.60 percent since 2021.

In addition, FDI has decreased by 61.21 percent in Ukraine since 2014, by 107.55 percent in Egypt since 2011, and by 161.49 percent in Indonesia since 1998. However, contrary to this continuous downward trend, the reverse picture of FDI in Bangladesh is a reflection of the deep confidence of the international community in the stability of the country's economy and the favorable investment environment.

In this regard, on Monday (November 3), Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman (State Minister rank) Ashiq Chowdhury said that the biggest quality of Bangladesh is its uncanny ability to 'bounce back' despite hundreds of adversities. This statistic is a great reflection of that.

He said that usually foreign investment decreases drastically after a mass uprising. But we are seeing the opposite. This has happened due to the collective efforts of everyone, starting from setting the right economic policy, to the sincerity of Bangladesh Bank, NBR etc., and the indomitable desire of the private sector. We have always tried our best to help investors. Not all problems were solved, of course, but there was no lack of goodwill. We will soon publish a report card for our entire year.