Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 Opens with Bold Vision for Digital Rights and Startups

The Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 officially kicked off on April 7 at Intercontinental Dhaka, bringing together key policymakers and industry leaders to chart the country’s investment future. The event began with a panel discussion featuring Ashik Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of BIDA; Dr Ahsan H. Mansur, Governor of Bangladesh Bank; Faiz Ahmad Taiyab, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser overseeing Posts, Telecommunications and IT; and Shish Haider Chowdhury, Secretary of the ICT Division.

During the session, Faiz Ahmad Taiyab emphasized the interim government’s commitment to digital freedom. He revealed efforts to enshrine internet access as a civic right in Bangladesh. Faiz also noted the government’s initiative to reform the Telecommunication Act 2001 and eliminate provisions that could allow for internet shutdowns. “We want to make sure no future government can legally block the internet,” he asserted.

Highlighting the nation’s startup potential, Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H. Mansur envisioned a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. Citing mobile financial giant bKash as a success story, he expressed hope for “at least 10 unicorns like bKash” to emerge in the coming years.

Adding to the momentum, ICT Secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury spoke about the development of a ‘Fund of Funds’ designed to consolidate various investment streams to support innovation and digital growth.

The summit set the tone for a forward-looking Bangladesh—committed to protecting digital rights and fostering a thriving startup culture.