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The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) on Thursday said its structured lead generation and investment pipeline management strategy has begun producing tangible results, with more than US$400 million in foreign direct investment (FDI) progressing to the decision and execution stages from a pipeline valued at nearly US$1.5 billion.
According to a BIDA statement, the investment pipeline, launched in 2025, includes 70 leading investors from 20 countries, with Turkey, China, Singapore, the Netherlands and South Korea emerging as the principal sources of investment proposals.
BIDA said the conversion rate from lead generation to the “decision and execution” stage has exceeded 15 percent, outperforming international benchmarks for investment promotion agencies.
The authority attributed the progress to its proactive investor engagement strategy, coordinated facilitation with relevant government agencies and continuous follow-up with prospective investors.
Among the major investments moving forward is a US$300 million commitment by Hong Kong-based Handa Industries Limited, one of the world’s leading textile manufacturers. The company initially signed a US$150 million memorandum of understanding during the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 but later doubled its investment following coordinated support from BIDA, the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) and the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA).
The investment will be implemented in two phases. The first involves an US$80 million garment manufacturing facility in the Mirsarai BEPZA Economic Zone, expected to generate around 10,000 jobs. The second phase includes a US$220 million integrated textile complex in the Keraniganj Economic Zone, creating an additional 15,000 jobs while introducing advanced fabric manufacturing technology to Bangladesh.
Another significant project comes from China Lesso Group, which has finalised a US$32 million investment to establish a manufacturing plant at the National Special Economic Zone in Chattogram. BEZA has already handed over 12.5 acres of land for the project, which will manufacture PVC and PEX pipes, sanitary ware, kitchen equipment, water purifiers, electrical cables and solar photovoltaic modules through its subsidiary, Lesso Solar.
China’s Shandong Hengli Textile Technology, through its wholly owned subsidiary Lead Bangladesh Textile Technology Co. Ltd., has also initiated a US$34.93 million investment in the Bangladesh Special Economic Zone (BSEZ) at Araihazar in Narayanganj. The automated factory, spread over 12.6 acres, will become Bangladesh’s first international-standard advanced textile production facility, strengthening domestic value addition in the readymade garment sector.
BIDA also highlighted a US$15 million investment by global airline amenity manufacturer Megarich, which decided to establish operations in Bangladesh after a series of discussions with BIDA and the National Board of Revenue (NBR). The company is the world’s second-largest supplier of airline amenity kits, serving international carriers including Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways and Saudia. Its investment is expected to support Bangladesh’s efforts to diversify exports beyond the garment sector.
In the financial services sector, Sri Lanka’s Softlogic Life Insurance PLC is acquiring a 60 percent stake in Bangladesh’s Diamond Life Insurance Company Limited for nearly US$2 million. BIDA facilitated the cross-border investment, which is expected to introduce advanced InsureTech solutions, artificial intelligence-based underwriting and a one-day claims settlement system known as “InstaClaim”.
Meanwhile, Malaysian home improvement retailer MR.DIY has accelerated its expansion in Bangladesh after receiving regulatory guidance from BIDA and Bangladesh Bank regarding shareholder loan arrangements. Since entering the market in early 2024, the company has expanded its network to more than 17 mega stores across Dhaka, Chattogram and Rajshahi, offering over 17,000 products in five major retail categories.
Reflecting on the progress, BIDA said converting more than US$400 million from a US$1.5 billion investment pipeline within just 12 to 15 months demonstrates growing confidence among foreign investors in Bangladesh’s investment climate.
Building on this momentum, the investment promotion agency said it plans to intensify lead generation efforts through dedicated country-specific and sector-focused investment desks, with the goal of adding another US$1.5 billion in prospective foreign investment to its pipeline during 2026.