Govt Opens 44 SOEs to Private Investment
The government has unveiled a strategic initiative to revive underutilized state-owned enterprises (SOEs) by attracting private and foreign investment, identifying 44 investment opportunities across more than 10,000 acres of strategic industrial land. Presenting the initiative, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun said that the government is adopting a new approach in which it acts as an enabler of investment rather than competing with the private sector.
The plan aims to unlock the economic potential of idle industrial assets while encouraging sustainable industrial growth, he said. Under the proposed public-private partnership framework, he further said, investors will gain access to ready-to-use industrial facilities and infrastructure, allowing them to establish operations more quickly.
The government expects the initiative to generate employment, improve productivity and reduce the fiscal burden associated with maintaining underperforming state-owned enterprises, the BIDA executive chairman added. The portfolio includes opportunities in the steel, textile, chemical, sugar, food and jute sectors.
Located across Bangladesh's major industrial belts, the sites offer established utility connections, transport access and existing industrial infrastructure, providing investors with a strong foundation for new manufacturing ventures. The government plans to adopt a dual-track strategy for the assets, either restoring them to their original industrial purposes where commercially viable or repurposing them for new industries based on market demand.
The initiative is intended to strengthen domestic production, reduce import dependence and expand export-oriented manufacturing. To facilitate investment, the government has pledged transparent legal and financial procedures, faster approval processes and improved coordination among relevant public agencies to ensure a smooth investment experience for both local and foreign investors.
Ashik Chowdhury said the private sector would play a leading role in bringing these industrial assets back into productive use and supporting Bangladesh's long-term industrial and economic transformation. Interested investors can explore the complete portfolio of 44 investment opportunities through the official online portal, he added.
