Published: 12:04 AM, 01 June 2026
Riad Mahmud voices concern over investment situation
Entrepreneur and businessman Riad Mahmud says global uncertainty has raised concerns about the investment situation in Bangladesh.
He says that before the February general election, investors were expecting political stability in the country, but global economic headwinds have disrupted the economic stability necessary for new investment.
He also raised questions about the country's banks, claiming they have "lost their capacity".
Riad, the managing director and CEO of National Polymer Industries, spoke openly about the country's business and trade situation on the bdnews24.com interview program "Chinwag with the Chiefs". He also talked about the status of his company and the upcoming budget.
Following the political changeover on 5 August 2024 the interim government took office. However, due to concerns about the investment environment and a crisis of investor confidence, domestic and foreign investment registrations with the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) decreased by about 58 percent in the fiscal year 2024-25.
In April, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) published "Report on the Implementation of the Investment Policy Review of Bangladesh", which stated that the combined effects of a foreign exchange crisis, currency depreciation, delays in energy imports, supply chain shortages, and political and social uncertainty have created long-term instability in the country's macroeconomic environment for a long time.
This instability is weakening the confidence of foreign investors, who are losing interest in new investments and are more cautious in their decision-making. This caution is directly impacting the flow of foreign direct investment (FDI).
