BIDA chief Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun. File Photo

DHAKA, Nov 03, 2025 (BSS) - The country has recorded a robust 19.13 percent increase in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) within a year after the 2024 July Uprising.
 
This performance positions the nation as a significant outlier when compared to the investment trends experienced by other countries following periods of substantial popular upheaval.
 
The data, compiled by the World Bank and Bangladesh Bank, was publicly revealed today via a Facebook post by Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, the Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).
 
The figures, presented under the title "FDI Picture Post-Mass Uprising," demonstrate Bangladesh's resilience and continued investor confidence despite the internal instability typically associated with mass popular movements.
 
Ashik Chowdhury noted Bangladesh's post-uprising FDI growth stands in sharp contrast to a selection of other nations that experienced significant political or civil unrest around the timeframes analysed. 
 
All these comparable countries registered decreases in FDI during their respective first years following instability, he added.
 
According to the data, Sudan experienced 27.60 percent decrease in FDI after the uprising in 2019 while Sri Lanka saw a decline of 19.49 percent in 2022, Chile 15.68 percent in 2019, Ukraine 81.21 percent in 2014, Egypt 107.55 percent in 2011 and Indonesia 161.45 percent in 1998.
 
The BIDA Executive Chairman attributed this exceptional success to a combination of factors.
 
He highlighted the sincerity shown by key institutions, including the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and Bangladesh Bank, alongside the establishment of correct economic policies and focused efforts across various sectors. 
 
Furthermore, the indomitable spirit of the nation's private sector and the combined efforts of all stakeholders were cited as crucial elements, he added.
 
Ashik Chowdhury also pointed out the active role played by government agencies responsible for investment promotion, such as the PPP Authority, BEZA, and BIDA, noting that these bodies have focused actively on assisting investors, going beyond merely preparing presentations.
 
Looking ahead, the Chairman advised caution regarding short-term trends of FDI due to the upcoming national election.
 
He noted that FDI is expected to naturally drop just before the vote.
 
However, the expectation remains that investment will become balanced again following the election period, he added.
 
He advised stakeholders that they need to mentally prepare to play a little bit more of a long game.