Bangladesh Bank Governor Urges Corporates to Invest Abroad

Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur has called on the country’s corporate sector to take a more proactive role in overseas investment, citing a marked improvement in foreign exchange reserve stability and broader macroeconomic conditions. He said the time was ripe for Bangladeshi companies to expand their footprint beyond national borders, stressing that sustainable international expansion is only possible on the back of a strong and resilient domestic economy—an area where Bangladesh is now showing renewed strength.

The governor made these remarks on Monday evening at a seminar in Gulshan, jointly organised by Policy Exchange Bangladesh and the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI). Reflecting on recent economic developments, he noted that only a short time ago the country’s foreign exchange reserves had reached a critical level. However, a combination of policy support, tighter macroeconomic management, and improved external inflows has helped restore confidence.

According to the governor, Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves currently stand at around USD 33 billion, with an official target to raise this figure to USD 35 billion by June this year. This recovery, he said, has eased pressure on the balance of payments and provided policymakers with greater room to support growth-oriented initiatives, including outward investment by the private sector.

He also highlighted encouraging trends in domestic demand and banking sector liquidity. Import growth reached nearly 6 per cent in December, signalling a gradual rebound in economic activity. At the same time, bank deposits increased by approximately BDT 2.2 trillion during 2025, significantly improving liquidity conditions across the financial system. With stronger balance sheets, banks are now better positioned to lend to creditworthy borrowers, which could contribute to a reduction in lending rates by up to two percentage points.

Addressing concerns around loan rescheduling, Governor Mansur emphasised that no political considerations had influenced regulatory decisions. Applications from large industrial groups—including Gazi Group, Bashundhara Group, and Monno Ceramics—were assessed strictly under the same policy framework. “Support will be extended wherever there is genuine business potential,” he said.

The seminar also underscored Bangladesh’s growing international economic partnerships. British Deputy High Commissioner James Goldman reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s interest in deepening investment ties with Bangladesh. He pointed out that UK tariff preferences for Bangladeshi exports will remain in place until 2029, offering exporters a valuable window to strengthen their presence in the British market.

Policy Exchange Chairman Mashrur Riaz observed that one of the most significant challenges in policymaking remains the availability of timely and reliable data. MCCI President Kamran T Rahman delivered the welcome address, while other speakers included Policy Research Institute Chairman Zaidi Sattar and Bangladesh Bank Deputy Governors Habibur Rahman and Noorun Nahar.

Participants also discussed the importance of the monthly Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), published regularly by MCCI with UK support. In December, the PMI stood at 54.2 points, indicating overall economic expansion. While agriculture and services showed continued growth, manufacturing and construction experienced slight moderation.

Selected Economic Indicators (December)

Analysts attending the seminar agreed that stronger reserves and improved banking sector liquidity will make outward investment more feasible. Over the longer term, such expansion is expected to enhance the global competitiveness of Bangladesh’s corporate sector and support more diversified sources of growth.