Foreign
Direct
Investment
Bangladesh's most internationally connected FDI counsel — advising sovereign funds, multinationals, and development finance institutions on structuring, regulatory approvals, and cross-border transactions across 50+ countries.
Bangladesh's FDI Moment Has Arrived
Bangladesh is South Asia's fastest-growing economy and one of the world's most compelling FDI destinations. With net FDI surging 80% in the first nine months of 2025 alone, the country offers a unique combination of a 170-million-strong consumer market, competitive labour costs, strategic geographic positioning, and a government actively courting international capital through 100 planned Special Economic Zones.
Navigating Bangladesh's investment landscape requires counsel with both deep local regulatory knowledge and genuine international connectivity. Barrister Meheruba Mahbub — triple-qualified, Legal 500 ranked, and a Name Partner at TRW Law Firm — provides exactly that: end-to-end FDI advisory from entry structuring through to repatriation and exit.
Fastest-Growing Economy
Bangladesh has maintained 6–7% GDP growth for over a decade, outpacing regional peers.
100% Foreign Equity
No restrictions on foreign equity participation in most sectors. Full repatriation of profits guaranteed.
Special Economic Zones
100 SEZs planned by 2030, offering tax holidays, duty exemptions, and one-stop service.
Strategic Location
Gateway between South Asia and Southeast Asia, with access to SAARC and BIMSTEC markets.
Our FDI Services
End-to-end FDI legal advisory from market entry to exit
Market Entry Structuring
Advising on optimal entry vehicles — wholly owned subsidiaries, joint ventures, branch offices, liaison offices, and project offices — tailored to sector, tax efficiency, and repatriation objectives.
Regulatory Approvals & BIDA
Managing the full BIDA registration process, sector-specific licences, Bangladesh Bank approvals for equity remittances, and compliance with the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act.
Joint Venture & Shareholder Agreements
Drafting and negotiating JV agreements, shareholders' agreements, and investment agreements that protect foreign investors' rights, governance, and exit mechanisms under Bangladeshi law.
Due Diligence & Risk Assessment
Comprehensive legal due diligence on Bangladeshi targets, covering corporate, regulatory, land, employment, and litigation risk — with clear risk matrices for international investors.
Profit Repatriation & Exit
Structuring dividend repatriation, capital repatriation, and exit strategies including share transfers, buybacks, and winding-up procedures in compliance with Bangladesh Bank and BIDA regulations.
SEZ & Economic Zone Advisory
Advising on establishment within Bangladesh's Special Economic Zones and Export Processing Zones, including incentive structuring, BEZA approvals, and operational compliance.
The Regulatory Landscape
Key legislation governing foreign investment in Bangladesh
Foreign Private Investment (Promotion & Protection) Act 1980
The cornerstone statute guaranteeing fair and equitable treatment, full protection, and security for foreign private investment. Prohibits nationalisation without compensation and guarantees repatriation rights.
Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Act 2016
Establishes BIDA as the primary investment promotion and facilitation body, providing one-stop service for foreign investors including registration, licensing, and dispute resolution support.
Foreign Exchange Regulation Act 1947 (as amended)
Governs all foreign exchange transactions including equity remittances, profit repatriation, royalty payments, and loan repayments. Bangladesh Bank approval required for most cross-border transfers.
Companies Act 1994
Governs incorporation, corporate governance, share transfers, and winding-up of companies in Bangladesh. Foreign companies may also register as branches or liaison offices under this Act.
Bangladesh Economic Zones Act 2010
Establishes the legal framework for Special Economic Zones (SEZs), offering tax holidays of up to 10 years, duty-free import of capital machinery, and streamlined regulatory procedures for zone-based investors.
Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs)
Bangladesh has signed BITs with 30+ countries including the USA, UK, Germany, France, China, Japan, and South Korea, providing additional investor protections and ICSID arbitration access.
No Equity Cap
100% foreign ownership permitted in most sectors without prior approval.
Tax Holidays
Up to 10-year tax holidays available in SEZs and priority sectors.
Full Repatriation
Guaranteed repatriation of capital, profits, dividends, and royalties.
BIT Protection
30+ bilateral investment treaties with ICSID arbitration access.
Priority Investment Sectors
Sectors where TRW Law Firm has active FDI mandates and deep regulatory expertise
Technology & Digital Economy
Bangladesh's booming tech sector — software, fintech, e-commerce, and data centres — with significant government incentives for digital economy investment.
Real Estate & Infrastructure
Large-scale real estate development, PPP infrastructure projects, ports, water, and transportation — including AED 14 billion joint ventures with international developers.
Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
Bangladesh's pharmaceutical sector is the world's second-largest generic drug exporter. FDI in hospitals, diagnostics, and medical facilities is a priority sector.
Energy & Renewables
Solar, wind, and LNG projects with government-backed power purchase agreements. Bangladesh targets 40% renewable energy by 2041 — creating significant FDI opportunity.
Logistics & Supply Chain
Port development, cold chain, warehousing, and last-mile logistics — critical infrastructure as Bangladesh positions itself as a regional trade hub.
Banking & Financial Services
Foreign bank branches, insurance, capital markets, and fintech — with Bangladesh's financial sector undergoing significant liberalisation and digital transformation.
The Investment Process
Our step-by-step approach to structuring your Bangladesh FDI
Initial Consultation
Understand your investment objectives, sector, and structure preferences. Identify regulatory requirements and optimal entry vehicle.
Structuring & Planning
Design the optimal legal and tax structure — JV, wholly-owned subsidiary, SEZ entity, or branch — with repatriation and exit in mind.
Due Diligence
Full legal, regulatory, and commercial due diligence on the target, counterparty, land, and sector-specific compliance requirements.
Regulatory Approvals
BIDA registration, Bangladesh Bank approvals, sector licences, and all government filings managed end-to-end by our team.
Ongoing Compliance
Annual compliance, repatriation management, corporate governance, and dispute resolution support throughout the investment lifecycle.
Bangladesh's Most Internationally Connected FDI Counsel
Barrister Meheruba Mahbub is not just a lawyer — she is a genuine bridge between Bangladesh and the world's leading investment communities. From advising a senior member of Dubai's ruling family on portfolio structuring, to representing Bangladesh as a VIP guest at The Economist's APAC Counsel Summit alongside heads of legal from OpenAI, Google, UBS, and Siemens — her network is unmatched.
As a Name Partner at TRW Law Firm — Legal 500 ranked, with 220+ lawyers across 8 global offices — she brings the full weight of Bangladesh's largest international law firm to every FDI mandate.
Book an FDI ConsultationCommon Questions
Key answers on FDI in Bangladesh
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Book a confidential FDI consultation with Barrister Meheruba Mahbub — Bangladesh's most internationally connected investment counsel.