Play store
Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, on Sunday called on local and foreign investors to participate in revitalising state-owned industrial enterprises through private investment initiatives.
Emphasising that the private sector is better positioned to operate commercial enterprises efficiently, he said the government’s role should be to facilitate and support private investment rather than compete with it.
In a post shared on his official LinkedIn account, the BIDA chief said the initiative offers investors a unique opportunity to expand their businesses rapidly through existing industrial infrastructure and “plug-and-play” facilities.
He added that the move would also help reduce the government’s fiscal burden while creating new employment opportunities, making it a mutually beneficial proposition.
According to Ashik, BIDA has already identified 44 investment opportunities across various state-owned agencies.
These opportunities span a range of sectors, including steel, textiles, chemicals, sugar, food processing and jute, and encompass more than 10,000 acres of land.
He noted that these industrial assets are strategically located within key industrial zones across the country rather than existing as isolated properties.
Most of the sites already have critical infrastructure in place, including electricity, gas and transportation connectivity, as well as access to experienced industrial workforces and established business communities.
Ashik said discussions are currently underway with both domestic and international investors on the productive utilisation of these assets.
While some enterprises may be revived within their existing industries, others could be repurposed to support emerging sectors aimed at reducing import dependence and enhancing export competitiveness.
To support prospective investors, BIDA has pledged to ensure a transparent investment framework, expedite approval processes and provide integrated assistance throughout the asset acquisition and investment process.
The BIDA chief encouraged interested investors to explore the available opportunities through the designated online portal, where detailed information on the identified assets has been made accessible.