Startup Synergy: Bangladesh Showcases Innovation at Investment Summit
A four-day investment summit has begun at the InterContinental Hotel in Dhaka, with a focus on enhancing the country's entrepreneurial ecosystem through global connectivity and innovation.
On Monday afternoon, the summit hosted the session "Bangladesh Startup Connect 2025", which brought together stakeholders from both public and private sectors to discuss strategies for developing the startup landscape.
The session was moderated by Sadia Haque, CEO of ShareTrip, and chaired by Ashiq Mohammad bin Harun, Executive Director of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA). Key speakers included Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser; Ahsan H. Mansur, Governor of Bangladesh Bank; and Shish Haider Chowdhury, Secretary of the ICT Division.
Emphasizing the importance of personal data protection, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb said, "Data protection is a critical issue in today’s context. Globally, this is being taken seriously, and we are working on it because the business community is deeply concerned. We are now engaging with both business leaders and civil society to align our approach with global practices."
Shish Haider noted that the ICT Division is taking proactive steps to attract foreign IT startups to the Bangladeshi market. Ahsan H. Mansur called for collective efforts to present Bangladesh as a compelling destination for international investors.
Addressing structural challenges, BIDA Executive Director Ashiq Mohammad bin Harun highlighted the need for ecosystem reform to ensure sustainable investment opportunities and to bridge gaps between local entrepreneurs and global investors. He stated that the ongoing U.S. tariff issues would have no negative impact on the summit but would rather “further strengthen investor confidence.”
He also pointed out bureaucratic hurdles, particularly around trade licensing for startups. “Obtaining and renewing trade licenses remains a significant barrier, especially for new entrepreneurs,” he said.
The BIDA Executive Director further shared that over 500 foreign investors from 40 countries are participating in the summit. As part of the program, delegations will be taken to visit economic zones in Chattogram and Narayanganj to explore investment opportunities on the ground.
