Bangladesh needs to engage global-scale port operators and modernize its logistics infrastructure to remain competitive in international trade, said Ashik Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).
Speaking at a conference titled “Roadmap for Trade, Growth and Economic Diplomacy 2026 – Navigating Risks: Leveraging Resilience” in Dhaka on 13th June, Ashik highlighted the country’s challenges in port efficiency and logistics performance.
Referring to the World Bank’s global container port ranking, he noted that Bangladesh ranked 364th among 400 ports worldwide, emphasizing the urgent need for improvements in port operations and logistics capacity.
Ashik said investors frequently identify gas shortages, logistics bottlenecks, and excessive regulations as major barriers to doing business. However, he noted that the government is addressing these issues through a broader reform agenda and described the proposed FY2026-27 budget as highly investor-friendly, with a strong focus on deregulation.
He also pointed to recent reforms in the shrimp export sector as an example of efforts to enhance competitiveness and attract investment.
Highlighting the importance of energy security, Ashik said uninterrupted power supply remains a key requirement for investors, particularly in the manufacturing sector. To support this, the government plans to expand renewable energy generation through large-scale solar projects and simplified rooftop solar policies.
The conference was jointly organized by the International Trade, Investment and Technology Wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and BIDA.
