State minister for foreign affairs Shama Obaed on Monday told Jatiya Sangsad that the government is taking coordinated steps to safeguard national interests by expanding export markets, attracting foreign investment and strengthening economic diplomacy, while exploring new destinations beyond traditional markets in Europe and the United States.
She made the remarks during a session of the Jatiya Sangsad in response to a question from lawmaker AE Sultan Mahmud Babu regarding measures taken to boost Bangladesh’s export market, attract foreign investment and enhance diplomatic relations.
The state minister said that Bangladesh was placing particular emphasis on strengthening trade ties with emerging economies in the Middle East, Africa, South America, Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe.
She said that discussions were ongoing on signing bilateral trade agreements, Preferential Trade Agreements and Free Trade Agreements with potential partner countries, which would help expanding export markets and deepen bilateral relations.
Shama Obaed also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to finalising such agreements under the guiding principle of ‘Bangladesh first’.
She said that the government remained committed to ensuring sustainable and diversified economic growth and accelerating the country’s economic progress.
Highlighting policy priorities, the state minister said that export diversification was a key electoral pledge, aimed at reducing Bangladesh’s long-standing dependence on the readymade garments sector and building a broader, more resilient export structure capable of withstanding global market shocks.
To support this goal, Bangladeshi missions abroad are regularly organising trade exhibitions and participating in international fairs in coordination with the commerce ministry and the Export Promotion Bureau, Shama Obaed.
She said that initiatives have also been taken to promote Bangladeshi products globally through international online marketplaces and to utilise EPA facilities, alongside the introduction of a national single window system for import-export operations.
The state minister said that the government was working to create an investment-friendly environment through measures such as the launch of the BanglaBIZ, one-stop digital service portal, tax incentives for foreign investors, increased limits on capital and profit repatriation, and the identification of priority sectors.
Shama said that efforts were also underway to bring key agencies, including Bangladesh Investment Development Authority and Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority, under a common platform and implement reform programmes to address longstanding investor concerns.
The state minister added that embassies, in coordination with relevant ministries, have taken steps to simplify visa processes, facilitate business delegations and improve consular services, while strengthening diplomatic coordination on port and customs-related issues.
She said further initiatives will include organising country-specific investment roadshows, sourcing meetings, business-to-business matchmaking events and Bangladesh investment seminars in collaboration with relevant agencies.
Shama also noted that Bangladeshi missions abroad had intensified diaspora engagement programmes to involve expatriate entrepreneurs and investors in national development, contributing positively to remittance inflows, technology transfer and investment.
