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Says CPD Distinguished Fellow Dr Mostafizur Rahman
A delay in Bangladesh’s upcoming national election could lead to political instability and hinder foreign investment, warned Dr Mostafizur Rahman, Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).
He made the remarks while speaking at a shadow parliament debate held at the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) on Saturday.
Dr Rahman stressed the importance of holding elections on time to ensure political stability, which he described as essential for sustainable investment.
Referring to the recent investment summit, he noted that while there is potential for foreign investment in Bangladesh, the actual commitments received so far have been limited.
Highlighting discrepancies in past investment data, he pointed out that during previous governments, projections were often unrealistic. “For example, the Seventh Five-Year Plan projected foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows of $33 billion, but in reality, only $11 billion materialized,” he said.
Drawing comparisons with other countries, Dr Rahman stated, “Vietnam’s current FDI stock stands at $360 billion, while Bangladesh’s is only $22 billion.” He also expressed concern over the ongoing geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan, warning that any escalation could affect foreign investment in Bangladesh. “If war breaks out, India’s defense spending will increase, potentially disrupting the tariff benefits we currently enjoy in trade with India,” he added.
