PM pledges $1tn economy for Bangladesh by 2034

The Prime Minister was speaking at the day-long international conference, titled “FICCI FDI Conference 2026: Driving Foreign Investment for Jobs and Prosperity in Bangladesh”

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday said the government was firmly committed to transforming Bangladesh into a $1 trillion economy by 2034.

“We are determined to build a $1 trillion economy by 2034, and work towards achieving this goal is already underway,” he said.

The Prime Minister was speaking at the day-long international conference, titled “FICCI FDI Conference 2026: Driving Foreign Investment for Jobs and Prosperity in Bangladesh” at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre (BCFCC) in Dhaka this morning.

“Bangladesh faces many challenges, but it also has the capacity to overcome them. We need safe and secure foreign investment in Bangladesh,” the Prime Minister said said.

Rahman said the government was focusing on simplifying tax and VAT procedures to attract foreign investment and ensure a more business-friendly environment.

“Bangladesh wants sustainable and long-term foreign investment. We want to work together,” he said.

He said the government was working to address various economic challenges while remaining committed to ensuring a favourable environment for business and investment in the country.

The government is focusing on simplifying VAT and tax procedures, digitising public services and ensuring the highest level of security for investors to create an investment-friendly environment, the Prime Minister added.

The day-long international conference, titled "FICCI FDI Conference 2026: Driving Foreign Investment for Jobs and Prosperity in Bangladesh," began in the morning at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre (BCFCC) in the capital.

Before the formal inauguration of the conference, the Prime Minister visited the Investors' Expo where he interacted with representatives of participating companies and organisations.

The conference has been organised by the Foreign Investors' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) at a time when Bangladesh is preparing for its graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category and stepping up efforts to attract more foreign investment.

According to the organisers, closer engagement between investors and policymakers has become increasingly important as the country seeks to strengthen its investment climate and sustain economic growth in the post-LDC graduation period.

Around 600 delegates from Bangladesh and abroad including senior government officials, policymakers, regulators, diplomats, development partners, executives of multinational companies, foreign and local investors, business leaders and media representatives have attended the conference.

The conference is focusing on ways to improve Bangladesh's investment environment, enhance competitiveness and make doing business easier.

Participants are also discussing the opportunities and challenges in attracting greater foreign direct investment.

A FICCI FDI Report was unveiled at the event, presenting analyses, observations and recommendations aimed at strengthening Bangladesh's investment climate and accelerating sustainable economic growth.

The conference is also highlighting the contribution of foreign investors to Bangladesh's economy, identifying challenges faced by multinational companies and emphasising policy reforms to create a more investment-friendly business environment