Reform Roadmap: National Economic Summit Seeks Strategies for Post-Graduation Bangladesh

As Bangladesh prepares to graduate from the list of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in 2026, the nation faces mounting economic challenges despite steady growth. Experts warn that stagnant foreign investment, limited job creation, inflation, and policy instability are weighing heavily on the economy. Sustainable employment for the youth, export diversification, and infrastructure development in power and ports have emerged as the country’s most pressing priorities, especially as Bangladesh risks losing tariff benefits following graduation.

In response to these challenges, Voice for Reform, Bangladesh Research and Innovation Network, InnoVision Consulting, Citizen Coalition, and Fintech Society are jointly organizing the Economic Reform Summit 2025. The two-day national dialogue will be held on October 27–28 at the Lakeshore Hotel in Dhaka.

The summit aims to explore solutions to barriers in investment, employment, agriculture, infrastructure, small business growth, and inequality. Discussions will span topics such as investment bottlenecks, infrastructural deficits, export diversification, youth employment and migration, agricultural productivity and food security, SMEs, and poverty reduction.

On the opening day, Asif Khan, President of CFA Society Bangladesh, will present the keynote paper on essential reforms for removing barriers to investment. Panelists will include Abul Kasem Khan, Chairperson of BUILD; Dr. Masrur Reza, CEO of Policy Exchange; Mahadi Amin, Advisor to the BNP Chairperson; Dr. Nakibur Rahman, Spokesperson of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (USA Chapter); Dr. Manjur Hossain, Member of the General Economics Division under the Planning Ministry; Professor Md. Tamim, Vice Chancellor of Independent University Bangladesh; Israphil Khasru, Special Adviser on Foreign Affairs to the BNP Chairperson; economist Snehashish Barua; and Wasim Alim, CEO of Chaldal.

The second session will feature a keynote presentation by Dr. M Masrur Riaz, CEO of Policy Exchange, focusing on export diversification. The panel will include Mohammad Hasan Arif, Vice Chairman of the Export Promotion Bureau; Syed Nasim Manzur, Managing Director of Apex Footwear; Sadaf Saj, CEO of SKZIN Limited; Shams Mahmud, RMG entrepreneur; Taslima Miji, MD of Leatherina; Mir Sharukh Islam, CEO of Bondstein; Javed Iqbal, MD of Barun Agro; Umme Nazia Rasha Khan, CEO of RMS Corporation; and Kawsar Chowdhury, Founder of Brand Bangladesh International LLC.

The afternoon session will focus on agricultural transformation. Discussants will include Dr. Saimum Parvez, Special Assistant to the BNP’s Acting Chairman; Fahad Ifaz, CEO of iFarmer; Farhad Jamil, Executive Director of Sustainable Agriculture Foundation Bangladesh; former Agriculture Secretary Anwar Faruque; Ziaul Haque Bhuiyan, Chief of Staff at ShopUp; and Dr. Mehrab Bakhtiar, researcher at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

According to sources, the closing ceremony will feature Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, BNP Standing Committee Member, as the chief guest. Organizers stated that the summit’s objective is to bring economic reform into the political agenda and influence policymaking for the next government.

While Bangladesh’s GDP stands at nearly USD 450 billion, the country attracted only USD 1.71 billion in foreign direct investment in the last fiscal year. Over 80 percent of its exports still come from the readymade garment sector, whereas competitors like Vietnam and Ethiopia are rapidly diversifying. The summit will formulate recommendations addressing infrastructural deficits, energy supply challenges, climate risks in agriculture, and policy barriers for small entrepreneurs.

Organizers added that the summit’s outcome—a pragmatic reform proposal—will be submitted to political parties with the aim of incorporating it into their manifestos for the 2026 national election.