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Some of the foreign private investment opportunities are:
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Direct (100%) foreign investment or joint venture investment in the Export Processing Zones (EPZs) or outside
EPZs.
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Portfolio investment by purchasing shares in publicly listed companies through the stock exchange.
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Investment in infrastructure projects such as power generation (private power generation policy announced); oil, gas and mineral exploration, telecommunication, ports, roads and highways.
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Outright purchase or purchase of shares of state-owned enterprises, which are under process of privatization.
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Investment in private EPZ .
The country's drive for foreign investment is being spearheaded by the Board of Investment, which was created to facilitate the setting up of manufacturing and other industries in the private sector, both local and foreign. It is a promotional organization dedicated towards providing investment assistance to all investors.
The Board is headed by the country's Prime Minister and it includes Ministers and Secretaries from the concerned ministries as well as representatives from the private sector.
The Board has launched an investment promotion drive at home and abroad to attract investors. The BOI has been assisting in the implementation of new projects as well as providing services.
In order to stimulate rapid economic growth of the country, particularly through industrialization, the government has adopted an 'Open Door Policy' to attract foreign investment to Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) is the official organ of the government to promote, attract and facilitate foreign investment in the Export Processing Zones.
Bangladesh is on the verge of a significant breakthrough in terms both of international investor confidence and significant inflow of new investment funds.
Competitive Sector for Investment in Bangladesh:
Bangladesh, traditionally known for jute and tea exports, has recently attracted world- wide attention for readymade garments and leather exports. Bangladesh foresees an expansion of her agricultural sector, as well as increased diversity in non traditional industries and business. Below is a short account of a few potential investment sectors where investment from UK may flow.
1) Ready made garments and Textile
2) Power and Energy
3) Leather and Leather Goods
4) Frozen foods
5) Information Technology and Business Services
6) Agro-based Industry
7)Ceramic
a)Tableware
b)Sanitaryware
c) Insulator
8) Light Engineering
9) Life Sciences
10) Electronics
11) Jute and Jute goods
12) Tourism
13) Ship Building
Bangladesh government is highly keen to stimulate the economy and transform a poverty-stricken economy to industrialized economy within short time. Government has liberalized the industrial and investment policies in recent years by reducing bureaucratic control over private investment and opening up many areas. Bangladesh's regulation of inward investment is recognised as the most liberal in South Asia. Apart from the general investment climate many incentives are offered by the government to attract foreign investment such as tax holiday, accelerated depreciation, concessionary duty on import of capital machineries and many more. Moreover special incentives are offered to the investors who invest in the Export Promotions Zones. So far 10 UK companies have invested in the EPZs where total investment is US$ 31.2 million.
Foreign investments in the following areas are particularly encouraged:
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Export-oriented industries
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Industries in the EPZ
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High technology products which are either import substitutes or export oriented
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Undertakings in which more diversified use of indigenous natural resources are possible
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Basic industries depending mainly on local raw materials
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Investment towards improvements in quality of goods manufactured and the increase of production capacities of existing industries
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Labour intensive and/or technology intensive industries
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