Written by The Banking Post
Bangladesh posted a sharp rise in net foreign direct investment in the third quarter of 2025, signalling renewed investor confidence despite ongoing global uncertainties.
Net FDI inflows during July–September 2025 reached $315.09 million, a 202 percent year-on-year increase from $104.33 million in the same quarter of 2024, according to central bank data.
The momentum lifted cumulative net FDI for January–September 2025 to $1.41 billion, up 80 percent from $780 million a year earlier.
All major components of FDI improved in the third quarter. Equity investment rose 31.7 percent year-on-year to $101.12 million. Reinvested earnings jumped sharply, climbing 190 percent to $211.47 million. Intra-company loans also turned positive, reversing from a net outflow of $45.36 million last year to an inflow of $2.49 million.
The strong Q3 performance followed solid gains earlier in the year. Net FDI in April–June 2025 stood at $303.27 million, up 11.4 percent from the same period of 2024. Overall, inflows in the first half of 2025 rose by more than 61 percent year-on-year.
“The focus has been on improving the business climate and building a credible investment pipeline. It is encouraging to see this pipeline translate into actual inflows,” said BIDA’s executive chairman. “The base remains low, but consecutive quarterly gains show that investors are placing their trust in Bangladesh.”
He noted that inflows may ease in the final quarter of the year due to the upcoming election, but expects a rebound afterward, supported by a strong project pipeline.
Beyond realized investments, BIDA’s dedicated investment pipeline for 2025 has already exceeded $1.5 billion, in addition to traditionally registered proposals, underscoring sustained foreign investor interest.
