B Mirror Report: The Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has underscored the need for stable and predictable fiscal policies to strengthen Bangladesh’s investment climate and attract sustained foreign direct investment.

The call came at a high-level luncheon titled “Conducive Fiscal Policy for a Better Investment Climate,” held at Renaissance Dhaka Gulshan Hotel, where policymakers, economists, development partners, and business leaders gathered to discuss the country’s fiscal outlook.

Delivering the keynote, Dr M Masrur Reaz, founder and chairman of Policy Exchange Bangladesh, highlighted persistent investor concerns over tax policy and administration. He pointed to high corporate tax rates, complex compliance procedures, fragmented administration, policy unpredictability, and frequent mid-year changes as major challenges affecting investor confidence.

The discussion featured prominent participants including Jean Pesme of the World Bank, Chandan Sapkota of the Asian Development Bank, Dr Fahmida Khatun of the Centre for Policy Dialogue, and Abul Kasem Khan of Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD).

Panelists identified policy inconsistency, tax system complexities, and weak coordination among regulatory bodies as major impediments to investment. They stressed the importance of broadening the tax base, strengthening revenue administration, and ensuring a transparent and business-friendly regulatory environment.

In her remarks, FICCI President Rupali Haque Chowdhury emphasized that a stable, transparent, and forward-looking fiscal framework is essential to sustain investor confidence. She noted that predictable tax policies, simplified compliance, and regulatory consistency are critical for long-term investment decisions.

She also highlighted the contributions of foreign investors to economic growth, employment generation, and technology transfer, calling for stronger public-private collaboration and evidence-based policymaking to maintain Bangladesh’s global competitiveness.

FICCI Senior Vice President Deepal Abeywickrema delivered the vote of thanks, reaffirming the chamber’s commitment to continued engagement with policymakers to promote an investment-friendly fiscal environment.

The event was attended by FICCI board members, CEOs of member companies, representatives from embassies and development partners, and key stakeholders from the business community.

FICCI reiterated its commitment to constructive dialogue with the government to help foster a predictable, transparent, and sustainable fiscal framework conducive to long-term economic growth.