Bangladesh posted a sharp rise in net foreign direct investment (FDI) during the July–September 2025 quarter, signalling renewed investor confidence despite ongoing global economic uncertainty.
Data released by Bangladesh Bank show that net FDI inflows in the third quarter reached $315.09 million, more than triple the $104.33 million recorded in the same period a year earlier, representing a year-on-year increase of 202 percent.
The strong quarterly performance pushed cumulative net FDI inflows for January to September 2025 to $1.41 billion, an 80 percent jump from $780 million received during the corresponding period of 2024.
All major components of foreign investment registered notable gains in the third quarter. Equity investment rose by nearly 32 percent to $101.12 million, up from $76.79 million a year earlier.
Reinvested earnings saw the sharpest increase, surging more than 190 percent to $211.47 million from $72.90 million. Intra-company loans also turned positive, reversing from a net outflow of $45.36 million in the same quarter of 2024 to an inflow of $2.49 million.
The latest figures build on solid momentum earlier in the year. During the April–June quarter of 2025, net FDI reached $303.27 million, compared with $272.22 million in the same quarter of the previous year, reflecting an 11.4 percent increase.
Overall, net FDI inflows in the first half of 2025 were more than 61 percent higher than in the first half of 2024.
Ashik Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, said the figures indicate growing confidence among foreign investors.
He noted that BIDA’s focus on improving the business environment and building a credible investment pipeline is beginning to translate into actual inflows, although the overall base remains modest.
Chowdhury cautioned that investment inflows may slow in the final quarter of 2025 due to the upcoming national election but expressed optimism about a rebound afterward, supported by a strong pipeline of projects.
Beyond realized investments, BIDA said its dedicated investment pipeline for 2025 has already exceeded $1.5 billion, in addition to proposals registered through traditional channels.
