Khan Mohd Eshtiaque, is currently a Masters in Management student at IE Business School. Previously, he interned as an M&A summer analyst at BDO's corporate finance division in Dubai, where he worked in deals in a variety of sectors including, natural resources, healthcare, facilities management, technology, real estate, utilities and agribusiness. Prior to that, Eshtiaque interned at the Private Banking department of HSBC.

1. Investment Outlook in
Bangladesh
Khan Mohd Eshtiaque of IE Business School

2. With a US$ 110 billion economy, 160 million people, 90 million of which are under the age of 25 and a FY2013
growth projected at 7%, Bangladesh possesses key attributes of an emerging market poised for an extended
period of high-growth. With cheap labor costs and improving regional trade relations, Bangladesh has the potential
to become the next regional manufacturing hub. The following underscores Bangladesh’s economic potential.

3. ■ Strategic Location
■ Located between China and India, two of the largest and fastest engines of economic growth in the 21st century
■ Ease of access to maritime trade routes in the Indian Ocean
■ Growing Middle Class
■ Bangladesh has a rapidly growing middle class with a young demographic and high disposable income
■ Average consumption per capita will continue to rise
■ Large Youth Segment
■ A young population and rising income will also drive increasing labor force participation
■ 57% of the population is under 25 years old
■ High literacy rate (72%) among youths aged 15-24
■ Increasing Urbanization
■ Industrialization, infrastructure development, and demographic forces will double the urbanization rate over the next four decades
■ UN forecasts Dhaka will be the world’s 5th largest city with a population of 19 million by 2019
■ Increasing trade integration
■ Labor Cost Advantage
■ Labor costs less than half the average of other Asian states
■ Already the second largest garments exporter globally
■ Trend expected to continue in other industries such as ceramics, light engineering, IT outsourcing etc.
■ Energy Cost Advantage
■ Bangladesh boasts between 5 and 12 TCF of gas reserves, and enjoys some of the lowest gas prices with an average discount of 50% compared to its regional peers
■ The country has just under 3 billion tons of untapped coal reserves – equivalent to approximately 67 TCF of natural gas
■ Strong Inflow of Remittances/Large Diaspora
■ Entrepreneurial spirit of the citizens has led to a 15% CAGR in remittances over the last two decades
■ This growth has given Bangladesh one of the highest remittance to GDP ratios (11%) in the world
■ Diaspora of ~5.5 mln on par with China’s in terms of % of population (>3%)
■ People have developed skill sets abroad and helped increase overall domestic consumption
■ ‘Reverse brain drain’ flow will likely persist as in Vietnam, India and China, serving as growth catalyst
■ SME Loans
■ SME loans have grown rapidly at a 28% CAGR over the last 5 years, demonstrating citizens’ high risk appetite
■ Success in building sustainable enterprises amidst national disasters and poor infrastructure substantiates the resilience and business acumen of the people
■ Despite buoyant growth in SME lending, business segment remains under served by financial community

4. The financial sector in Bangladesh is continuously evolving towards a more modern and efficient system of finance
which is supportive of greater investment and inclusive economic growth. The financial system of Bangladesh
consists of The Bangladesh Bank, scheduled banks, non-bank financial institutions, micro finance institutions,
insurance companies, co-operative banks, credit rating agencies and stock exchange.

5. ■ Bangladesh has applied for membership of Egmont Group to
operate its newly-established financial intelligence unit in line
with international standard.
■ Bangladesh Post Office is going to introduce postal cash card
(e-money order) system through which people, across the
country even in the remotest areas, will be able to send and
receive money through mobile phone.
■ The central bank has raised the ceiling of foreign currency for
Bangladesh nationals allowing them to spend more while
traveling abroad.
■ The Bangladesh Bank launched the automation project of its
Credit Information Bureau aiming at providing credit
information in a faster and efficient way.
■ Bangladesh Bank has once again lowered different banking
charges, fees and commissions to provide assistance to
businessmen hurt by falling exports.
Type of Bank Number Number of Branches
State Owned 4 3404
Specialized 4 1382
Private 30 2816
Foreign 9 62
Total 47 7664

6. Agriculture Potential Sectors for Investment

7. The economy of Bangladesh is primarily dependent on agriculture. About 84% of the total population lives in rural areas and are directly or indirectly engaged in a
wide range of agricultural activities. Agriculture contributes about 20.29% to the country’s GDP- 23%. About 43.6% of the labor force is employed in agriculture
with about 57% being employed in the crop sector.
The abundance of natural resources available in Bangladesh supports a range of highly profitable investment opportunities in agribusiness. Over 90 varieties of
vegetable are grown in Bangladesh, yet in this fertile land there is under utilization of the country’s agricultural capacity. This presents many opportunities for
investors seeking to export agricultural products, or to meet the rapidly growing local demand.
Sector Highlights
■ Huge supply of raw materials exist for the agribusiness
industry.
■ A tropical climate for all year growing, a lot of fresh water,
indeed a land interspersed with numerous rivers, available land
with fertile soil.
■ Government and NGOs conduct regular training programs to
develop skilled manpower in the industry.
■ Wide range of biodiversity exists for different crops.
■ Agricultural commodities have a comparatively higher value
added than non-agricultural commodities.
Investment Opportunities
■ Cold storage facilities serving the supply chain, especially fresh
produce for export.
■ Fresh produce production for local and export markets.
■ Production of fertilizers and cultivation of seeds.
■ Eco-friendly jute production, supported by jute technology
development institutes.
■ Shrimp farming.
■ Halal foods.
■ Milk and dairy products.
■ High value-added foods for export, including herbs, spices,
nuts and pulses.
Industry Outlook
Bangladesh has the essential attributes for successful agri-based
industries namely rich alluvial soil, a year-round frost-free
environment, available water and an abundance of cheap labor.
Increased cultivation of vegetables, spices and tropical fruits now
grown in Bangladesh could supply raw materials to local
agribusiness industries for both domestic and export markets.
Progressive agricultural practices, improved marketing techniques
and modern processing facilities have raised the quality of
agribusiness and expanded production levels significantly.
Industry Incentives
The government encourages development of the agricultural sector
through measures to increase crop sector productivity and
production of non-crop agriculture. To achieve this it provides
increased credit, and facilitates greater access to inputs and
modern technology. Investments in agribusiness industries in
Bangladesh are encouraged with the following support measures:
■ The Equity Entrepreneurship Fund for development of
agribusiness industry.
■ Special loan facilities available to set up an agribusiness.
■ Agribusiness industry enjoys tax holidays.
■ Any investment in this sector will enjoy similar tax amnesty
as available in other sectors.
■ Imposition of supplementary duty on mango, orange, grape,
apples, dates and others to utilize the high quality and
cheaper local resources.
■ Cash incentives to the exporters ranges from 15% to 20% in
various sub sectors.

8. Ceramics Potential Sectors for Investment

9. The global ceramics industry is worth in excess of $10bn. Bangladesh is perfectly positioned to expand rapidly in this sector with its high quality:cost ratios and
creative human resource base.
Sector Highlights
■ Technical expertise and skilled manpower in tableware and
other ceramics.
■ Clean gas reserves in certain locations to fire kilns for
competitive cost advantage.
■ Bangladesh ceramic tableware has a good reputation in the
international markets like North America and EU countries.
■ Sanitaryware and insulators have a strong domestic demand as
well as international market demand.
Industry Status
A few ceramic tableware manufacturers dominate the industry
producing high quality products for the international brands. A pool of
skilled manpower has been developed. The latest technological
advancements in ceramics are also being utilised. Bangladesh
produces high quality bone china, transferring the technology from
Japan.
Industry Outlook
The global ceramic tableware industry is currently going through a phase
of acquisition and consolidation as smaller firms in the developed
countries are becoming uncompetitive and bankrupt. As a result, the big
names like Noritake, Wedgewood, Lenox, Villeroy & Boch and Royal
Doulton are all individually becoming billion-dollar operations.
Traditionally, the tableware industry is labor-intensive and companies in
developed countries experience difficulties in remaining competitive.
Bangladesh, being a gas-rich and low-labor-cost economy, is perfectly
positioned to be a strategic partner in production and supply of ceramic
products. Investment interests in this sector are strongly welcome.
Growth of Ceramic Tableware Export from Bangladesh
Year Amount in USD
2012-2013 (July - March) 27,779,246
2011 - 2012 33,748,128
2010 - 2011 37,579,260
2009 - 2010 30,775,334
2008 - 2009 31,167,227

10. Electronics Potential Sectors for Investment

11. The high skill, low cost labor resource of the electronics sector in Bangladesh offers companies great returns on investment. Whilst the global market for
semiconductors is worth in excess of $200bn and is dominated by the Asian economies, Bangladesh has significant financial and economic factors in its favor that
make it the best choice for many companies.
Sector Highlights
■ Manufacturing of semiconductors could be established as a
stand alone industry.
■ Bangladesh is going to be one of the largest cell-phone markets
in South Asia.
■ The home appliance market in Bangladesh is growing rapidly.
■ The labor-intensive nature of the electronic industry matches
the ability of Bangladesh to provide a high skilled labor source.
Industry Background
The electronics industry in Bangladesh mostly produces consumer
items. Home appliances includes televisions, radios, DVDs and CD
players, refrigerators, air conditioners, ovens, electronic fans, blenders
etc. are being assembled to a large extent. To ensure the performance
reliability, the key challenges in this sector are technical assistance
and proper technology orientation of the industry. Developing the
significant capacity and skill in assembly and manufacture of a wide
range of electronic components and parts is crucial.
As yet, Bangladesh does not have any telecommunication equipment
industry in the private sector. However, an urgent need for
diversification and modernization is felt among the existing
entrepreneurs, government and professionals. The government is
keen to provide and ensure enabling assistance to the development of
this sector.
Industry Outlook
Bangladesh's experience in basic electronics spans over two decades. In
recent years, European and Asian electronic firms have established
technical collaboration with their Bangladeshi counterparts to produce
some electronic goods at competitive prices. This has tremendous
potentiality for expansion.
The government of Bangladesh has adopted National Telecommunication
Policy, 1998. Investment is encouraged through BLT-BOT/BOO/BTO* and
other joint venture schemes which by greatly increasing the capacity,
quality and type of services, will create improved efficiencies in other
sectors such as transportation energy and the textile industry.
To meet the telecommunications' requirements of the country the
government has been developing and expanding the systems and
services of Bangladesh Telegraph and Telephone Board. Private sector
operations in the rural telecommunication, paging, cellular telephones
and riverine radio trunking have already been allowed. At present seven
private operators are providing their services to about 100,000
customers. Government has allowed expanding 300,000 digital
telephone lines in Dhaka by private sector participation through open
tendering.
In accordance with overall national policy, liberalization of the
telecommunications sector will continue. However, the government
retains the sale authority to determine the number of competitions that
are economically viable for certain services. The strategy is to provide
equal and rational opportunities to all competitors.
Skilled, easily trainable and low-cost human resources are the main cost
advantage of setting up electronic industry in Bangladesh. Growing
domestic demand and international market access are some key
attractive issues to the investors. In the economies like Malaysia,
Singapore, Korea and Thailand, electronics contribute a major portion in
the GDP. They are encouraging electronic industry to shift from low-end
assembly operations with high import content of inputs to upstream
higher value-added activities. In this context, relocation, outward
investment and joint venture with Bangladeshi companies could be
gainful strategies. To capitalize on the comparative advantages,
substantial foreign investment from those countries is highly
encouraged.

12. Frozen Food Potential Sectors for Investment

13. Frozen foods is the second largest export sector of the economy. The massive natural resources available in Bangladesh make this sector particularly promising for
investors looking to supply in international as well as in domestic markets.
The Public sector corporation and the private organizations have setup about 148 numbers of shore based export oriented fish processing plants at Dhaka,
Chittagong, Khulna, Jessore, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Cox's Bazar, Chandpur, Kishoregonj, Syihet and Patuakhali. These plants produces Fresh Water shell On (FWSO),
Ser Water shell On (SWSO), Peeled and Deveined (P&D), Peeled and Undevined (PUD), shrimp products under the most hygienic and sanitary condition under the
supervision, control and guidance of foreign trained handling & processing experts. At all levels, USFDA registrations and directives of the European Communities
concerning the production and exportation of frozen foods are strictly followed.
Sector Highlights
■ The government is promoting semi-intensive shrimp farming.
■ Shrimp processing and export industry is largely dominated by
the small business sector.
■ Government has developed initiatives of quality assurance for
frozen foods in co-operation with exporters.
■ 15% cash incentive offered to shrimp export amount.
Exportable Products
The private organization and the public sector corporation offer the
following products for export:
■ Frozen shrimp & prawn
■ Frozen fish
■ Fresh & chilled fish
■ Frozen fillets & steaks of fish, sharks shells skates & rays
■ Shark fins & fish maws
■ Salted & dehydrated fish
■ Dry fish
■ Live crabs & tortoises
■ Fish meals & crushed
■ Value added shrimp & fish products
Industry Outlook
This export oriented industry includes the following sub-sectors which
are themselves promising investment opportunities:
■ Hatcheries
■ Sustainable aquaculture technology
■ Feed meals plants
■ Processing unit for value-added products.
Following a period of strong investment in technology, processes and
regulation the frozen foods sector has flourished and earned itself an
excellent reputation with trading partners.
Exporters have earned credibility and trustworthiness in the global
market and are committed to maintaining a competitive advantage in
product quality. Continuing investment in technology, marketing and
quality remain at the forefront of the industries' strategy to meet the
challenges of international trade in price, quality, time and service.
Industry Incentives
Shrimp is the second largest source of export from Bangladesh which
earned as much as 437.40 million US dollar in the year 2009-10.
Commercial culture of shrimp increased rapidly in the coastal belt of
Bangladesh and it went through several stages of transformation. During
the last ten years, Bangladesh has earned international credibility by
responding to the food-safety and quality requirements of its
destinations, mostly, the United States and the European Union
countries. Continuous investment has enabled the sector to progress in
the teeth of competition from other countries.
There are 105,000 galda farms, mostly located in the Khulna area
although this method of cultivation is spred ading rapidly in other parts
of Bangladesh. Unlike brackish water cultivation of bagda (black tiger
shrimp, Penaeus monodon), freshwater galda cultivation is not restricted
to the coastal regions and is expanding at a rate of 10–20 per cent per
annum.

14. Garments Potential Sectors for Investment

15. From spinning to weaving, from knitwear to leisurewear and high street fashions, the textiles and clothing industry is Bangladesh’s biggest export earner with value
of over $ 16 billion of exports in 2009-10. Our factories design and produce for the world’s leading brands and retailers. This rapidly growing sector of the
Bangladeshi economy offers a unique competitive edge that supports profitable expansion into new strategic markets.
Sector Highlights
■ Cost and quality of products that are produced on time, reliably
and very competitively with a highly skilled labor force.
■ A unique regional location for expansion into key Eastern and
other markets.
■ Favored trading status with the EU and the USA.
■ Clusters of companies providing a local supplier base with real
depth in skilled labor, training and technical development
facilities.
The growing demand for yarn in the local market, comparatively low
cost of doing business, lucrative incentive packages and a favorable
investment policy regime are important reasons for investment in this
sustainable sector.
Investment Opportunities
Enormous investment opportunities exist in this sector. In the RMG
industry demand for fabric significantly exceeds local supply and so is
currently being met by imports. Backward linkage is a significant
trading opportunity and is supported by a government backed
incentive: 15% cash subsidy of the fabric cost to exporters sourcing
fabrics locally.
Additionally the government has created a highly favorable policy
framework for investment in these sectors offering investors the
following choices:
■ Establishment of new textile/RMG mill in the private sector
■ Joint ventures with the existing textile/RMG mill
■ Acquisition of public sector textile mills that are being privatised
■ Indirect investment through financial services and/or leasing
The most beneficial public policy of introducing back to back LC* and
bonded warehouse facilities provide a tremendous impetus to the
export scenario in Bangladesh.
■
Industry Outlook
Bilateral agreements with 28 countries and Generalised System of
Preferences (GSP) of the EU are key reasons for Bangladesh RMG
products having access to global markets. The current cycle of GSP
applied from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2011. Bangladesh is now a
significant RMG supplier to North America and Europe. Bangladesh has
also taken a better position in the USA market through competition.
Bangladesh is expected to maintain its tariff-free access to EU under the
European GSP, since the GSP is not covered by the Uruguay Round
Agreement. Recently Canada has also provided tariff-free access for all
the items from Bangladesh.
Meantime, the Bangladesh RMG industry has become very competitive
as a global standard RMG source. Marketing investments have been
made in trading partner economies; end users can often differentiate
products with confidence.
Historically the Bangladesh RMG industry has depended largely on
imported yarns and fabrics and produced only 10% of the export-quality
cloth used by the garments industry. The need for establishment of
backward-linkage industry has become an immediate concern to the
government and the exporters and there are enormous opportunities to
set up a composite textiles industry combining textile, yarn and
garments.

16. Light Engineering Potential Sectors for Investment

17. The Light Engineering Sector (LES) that draws the least attention of the policymakers has emerged as a potential cost cutting sector by producing at least
50 percent substitutes of imported items in the country. This important sub-sector is now providing critical support to industrial, agricultural and
construction sectors by manufacturing a wide range of spare parts, castings, moulds and dices, oil and gas pipeline fittings and light machinery, as well as
repairing those. Sector players claim that electrical goods like switch, socket, light shed, channel, cables and electrical fans, generator, which are
manufactured by the LES are now meeting 48% to 52% of the country's demands, which was earlier met through import. Export growth was estimated at
30%. The light engineering sector as 'the mother of all sectors,' because it provides backup support to cement, paper, jute, textile, sugar, food processing,
railway, shipping, garments capital machineries by repairing and maintaining those. A recent study conducted by International Finance Corporation (IFC) in
partnership with UK Department for International Development and Norwegian government shows that LES has in its employment 6,00,000 people involved
in 50,000 micro enterprises and 10,000 Small and Medium Enterprises. Another study conducted by Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology
however, estimates that LES comprises of around 40,000 enterprises employing around 8,00,000 people.
Sector Highlights
Thriving in this sector are machinery parts and consumer items.
■ Increasingly affluent middle class creating demand for
consumer durables.
■ About 40,000 small scale light engineering enterprises existing
over the country.
■ Export-oriented production has experienced strong growth in
past few years.
■ Currently about 10,000 types of different items are
manufactured for the local industry.
■ As demand grows for engineering and electronic goods, so
does demand for light engineering products.
■ Government provides cash incentive facilities to exporters of
value-added light engineering products.
Industry Outlook
The light engineering industry in Bangladesh continues to grow each
year. This labor-intensive sector produces a diverse range of items,
including import substitute machinery spares, plant machineries, small
tools, toys, consumer items and paper products for the domestic market.
Most of these enterprises are located in and around Dhaka metropolis.
Entrepreneurs from China, Japan and Korea have taken advantage of
Bangladesh's cheap and easily trainable labor and its infrastructure
facilities to manufacture products for the export market.

18. Leather Goods Potential Sectors for Investment

19. Bangladesh has a long established tanning industry which produces around 2-3% of the world’s leather from a ready supply of raw materials. The country is
therefore an established and attractive location to source and outsource the manufacture of finished leather products. The leather industry is ideally suited to
Bangladesh with its abundance of labor and natural resources at internationally competitive rates.
Sector Highlights
■ Abundant, low cost labor – ideal for labor intensive industry.
■ Good quality domestic supply of raw materials, as by-products
of large livestock industry.
■ Government support in the form of tax holidays, duty free
imports of raw materials and machinery for export-oriented
leather market, export incentives.
■ Tariff and quota free access to major markets such as the EU.
Industry Outlook & Investment Outlook
In 2008-09 total export of leather, leather goods was $381.14m.
Bangladesh produces between 2% and 3% of the world’s leather. Most
of the livestock base for this production is domestic, which is estimated
as comprising 1.8 % of the world’s cattle stock and 3.7 % of the goat
stock. The hides and skins (average annual output is 15m sq.m.) have a
good international reputation.
Foreign direct investment in this sector along with the production of
tanning chemicals appears to be highly rewarding due to this presence
of basic raw materials for leather goods including shoes, a large pool of
low cost, trainable labor, and a tariff concession facility to major
importing countries under Generalized System of Preferences (GSP)
coverage. Thus Bangladesh is an ideal offshore location for leather and
leather products manufacturing with low cost but high quality.
The government is in the process of setting up a separate Leather Zone,
relocating the existing industry sites to a well-organised environment.
Exports include some ready-made garments, although that aspect is
confined mainly to a small export trade in "Italian-make" garments for
the US market. Footwear is more important in terms of value addition.
This is the fast growing sector for leather products.

20. Power Potential Sectors for Investment

21. Bangladesh is progressing through a phase of development where automation is the key to its economy and business. As the country continues to industrialise the
importance of power generation and electricity supply becomes a key government priority.The abundance of natural resources available in Bangladesh supports a
range of highly profitable investment opportunities in agribusiness. Over 90 varieties of vegetable are grown in Bangladesh, yet in this fertile land there is under
utilization of the country’s agricultural capacity. This presents many opportunities for investors seeking to export agricultural products, or to meet the rapidly
growing local demand.
At present, 48.5% of the total population of Bangladesh is enjoying the electric facilities. As of April 2010, the total numbers of transmission and distribution lines
are recorded to 8,359 km and 266,460 km respectively. However, 53,281 villages have been electrified so far. In Bangladesh per capita generation is 220 KW hr
which is comparatively lower than other developed countries in the world. Public and private sector produces 63% and 37% of electricity respectively. Public sector
produces electricity through Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), Ashuganj Power Station Company LTD (APSCL) and Electricity Generation Company of
Bangladesh (EGCB). On the other hand, private sector produces power through small independent power producers and rental that government buys at a constant
price. BPDB individually produces 46% of the total production.
Facilities and Incentives for Foreign Investors
There are number of facilities and incentives would be provided to the
foreign investors. Some of them as follows:
■ Tax exemption on royalties, technical know-how and technical
assistance fees, and facilities for their repatriation.
■ Tax exemption on interest on foreign loans.
■ Tax exemption on capital gains from transfer of shares by the
investing company.
■ Avoidance of double taxation case of foreign investors on the
basis of bilateral agreements.
■ Exemption of income tax for upto three years for the expatriate
personnel employed under the approved industry.
■ Remittance of up to 50% of salary of the foreigners employed
in Bangladesh and facilities for repatriation of their savings and
retirement benefits at the time of their return.
■ No restrictions on issuance of work permits to project related
foreign nationals and employees.
■ Facilities for repatriation of invested capital, profits and
dividends.
Industry Outlook
Electricity is a key ingredient for the socio-economic development of the
country. The government has given top priority to development of the
sector considering its importance in the overall development of the
country. The government has set the goal of providing electricity to all
citizens by 2021. Adequate and reliable supply of electricity is an
important pre-requisite for attracting both domestic and foreign
investment.
As the power sector is a capital-intensive industry, huge investments are
required in order to generate addition to the capacity. Competing
demands on the government resources and declining levels of external
assistance from multilateral and bilateral donor agencies constrained the
potential for public investment in the power sector. Recognizing these
trends, the government of Bangladesh amended its industrial policies to
enable private investment in the power sector.
The Power Cell, created under the Power Division of Ministry of Power,
Energy and Mineral Resources, received the mandate to lead private
power development. The government is strongly committed to attract
private investment for installing new power generation capacity on build-own-
operate basis.
Fiscal Incentives for Private Companies
A number of fiscal incentives are provided to the private power companies. Some of them are as follows:
■ Exemption from corporate income tax for a period of 15 years.
■ Allowed to import plant and equipment and spare parts up to a maximum of ten percent (10%) of the original value of total plant and equipment within a period
of twelve (12) years of commercial operation without payment of customs duties, VAT and any other surcharges as well as import permit fee except for
indigenously produced equipment manufactured according to international standards.
■ Repatriation of equity along with dividends allowed freely.
■ Exemption from income tax for foreign lenders to such companies.
■ The foreign investors will be free to enter into joint ventures but this is optional and not mandatory.

22. For further information, please contact Khan Mohd Eshtiaque
eshtiaque@student.ie.edu