Bangladesh Is Moving Toward a Trillion-Dollar Economy: Finance Minister

Photo: Collected

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has said that Bangladesh is on course to becoming a US$1 trillion economy, citing the country's growing ability to attract both domestic and foreign investment.

Speaking to reporters at Shah Amanat International Airport during his visit to Chattogram on Saturday (July 4), the minister said the current investment climate is positioning Bangladesh for long-term economic growth.

He said Bangladesh is attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), investment in the capital market, and capital from international fund managers. He added that the national budget has been designed primarily with Bangladesh's needs in mind, taking into account the unique economic potential of each region and focusing on how those opportunities can be fully utilized.

Highlighting the government's development plans for Chattogram, Amir Khasru said the city has enormous potential because of its seaport and strategic geographic location. He noted that the government's development strategy includes major initiatives aimed at transforming Chattogram into a regional logistics hub, supported by increasing foreign investment.

The finance minister announced that the government has decided to establish a 600-acre free economic zone in Anwara, across the river from Chattogram. He also said multiple ports will be developed in the region as part of the broader plan to strengthen Chattogram's role as a logistics hub. In addition, the budget includes plans to expand Chattogram Airport into both a cargo and passenger hub.

He further said that a Chinese Economic Zone will be established in Chattogram. The budget also includes plans to upgrade the Laksam section of the Dhaka–Chattogram railway, reducing train travel time by approximately two hours. Once these projects are completed, he said, the economic corridor from Chattogram will evolve into a major logistics hub, enabling the country's ports to handle significantly higher volumes of trade. Large-scale development initiatives are also planned around Matarbari, reflecting the government's focus on unlocking the region's economic and logistical potential.

The minister acknowledged that these are long-term projects requiring several years to complete but said the government intends to begin implementation as quickly as possible.

Commenting on the broader economy, Amir Khasru said implementing such a large national budget would be challenging. He stated that the current government inherited a fragile economy from the previous administration, while ongoing conflict in the Middle East has created additional economic pressure. He said the government's immediate priority is to stabilize the economy before fully capitalizing on the country's growth potential.

According to the finance minister, Bangladesh is expected to enter a stronger phase of economic expansion during the government's third and fourth years in office. By harnessing its economic potential, he said, the country is steadily moving toward its goal of becoming a US$1 trillion economy.

Also present at the briefing were Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain, Chattogram Development Authority Chairman Engineer Belayet Hossain, and M. A. Aziz, Joint Convener of the Chattogram Metropolitan BNP, among others.