About BIP Summit – Bangladesh Investment & Policy Summit 2016

Background
Industrialization is important to keep pace with development and it is greatly dependent on investments as well as the technological base of a country. Developing countries are moving to trade-based economy from an aid-dependent economy. Different policy reforms have been taken in Bangladesh in different time periods in order to increase investment however Bangladesh still could not attract an attractive flow of FDI. The global investment environment makes it necessary for countries to have a multi-year policy approach to improve the extent and quality of public and private investment.

Investment Scenario in Bangladesh

Local Investment Trend in Bangladesh

Foreign Direct Investment

Bangladesh is one of the countries in the world which is considered as a competitive investment location for foreign investors. The country’s economic growth and development strongly depends on private sector. Private sector plays a huge role in improving the living standards of people. The GDP contribution of overall investment is about 28-29% but private investment has been stagnant for past few years. Different policies prevail for private sector investors but there are many gaps in policy comprehensiveness and implementation regarding policies for the private sector and investors. The turnaround of this static state of private investment trend will be a key challenge for realizing not only the growth target of the FY16 budget but also that of the 7th Five year Plan(FYP).
Bangladesh has progressed to a lower middle income status but Bangladesh needs a pragmatic and comprehensive policy framework for sustainable growth and development.. The Country adopted a two-prong approach – facilitation of Enabling Policies and Sustaining Investment. The Government has been implementing a number of policy reforms designed to promote a competitive climate for private investment and also creating a diverse range of investment opportunities.
However, many of the policy developments and emerging investment opportunities are yet unknown or partially/ incompletely known to the investors that needs to be publicized and showcased widely.. Targeted events such as conferences/ forums are effective platforms to disseminate reforms and showcase opportunities.
To support the government’s initiatives to enhance investment environment and attract investors, BUILD, Board of Investment and the Prime Minister’s Office have come together to jointly organize a forum for both private sector investors and the government to engage in dialogue and exchange latest policy developments, promote investment opportunities in Bangladesh and explore ways to make the business climate more business-friendly.

Objectives

To highlight latest policy developments for private sector growth in Bangladesh
To showcase private sector investment opportunities in key sectors in Bangladesh and demonstrate opportunities for potential value addition in those sectors for a sustained economic growth of Bangladesh.

Venue and Date

Board of Investment (BOI), Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD) and Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) are jointly organizing Bangladesh Investment &Policy Summit: on January 24-25, 2016. The summit will be held in Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel Dhaka. Honorable Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina will be the Chief Guest of the conference.

Support Partners

Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA)
Public Private Partnership Authority Bangladesh
International Finance Corporation (IFC), World Bank Group
Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI)
Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI)
Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Dhaka (MCCI)
Chittagong Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCCI)
University of Dhaka

Who should attend?

Local investors who can share their investment experience
Foreign Investors both new and potential investors
Foreign Direct Investment, Industrial & International Trade experts and policymakers
Business entrepreneurs
Government officials and policy reformers
Researchers and academia

Expected Outcomes
The conference will result in increased awareness of policies for private sector and investment in Bangladesh as the challenges which arise for lack of knowledge on policies and policy reforms will be addressed in the conference. Bangladesh Investment &Policy Summit 2016aims to secure public and private sector commitment for catalyzing an integrated approach to policy and to obtain the institutional and investment changes required to reduce the policy gaps prevail in the country. Besides there are some other following expected outcomes:

Better knowledge on business- sensitive policy design and implementation;
Exchange of ideas among policymakers and policy reformers and increased trust between them;
National and international investors with better knowledge on investment opportunities and policies on foreign/regional investments.

Structure of the Conference
The conference will be held for two days and the Honorable Prime Minister will inaugurate on Day 1 (24 January 2016).The inaugural session will also have presentation of the Best Reform Award for the most deserving reform. Day1-’ will focus on Investment opportunities and will have both Plenary and parallel business sessions. Day 2 will focus on policies for investments and will contain one plenary, 2 business sessions, one country session and closing ceremony. The full event will be followed by networking and dinner for the distinguished guests.