Indian firms seek smoother land trade while US delegation proposes measures to improve investment climate
Businesses from India and the United States have expressed interest in investing in Bangladesh, with representatives from both countries putting forward proposals aimed at improving the business and investment environment, Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir said.
Muktadir made the remarks on Saturday after attending a law and order meeting at the Sylhet Metropolitan Police headquarters. He said several Indian businesspeople who recently visited Bangladesh had already invested in the country, while others were exploring further opportunities.
Indian business representatives have particularly called for the full operation of land ports between the two countries. According to the minister, they said limited or disrupted operations were increasing the cost of raw materials for Indian companies.
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The Indian side has also proposed setting up a joint task force with Bangladeshi businesses to promote investment in infrastructure
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Another proposal involves working with local businesses to develop digital infrastructure. The government has welcomed both suggestions, Muktadir said
The developments follow a 14-member Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) delegation’s visit to Bangladesh from August 17 to 19 to explore opportunities for expanding bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation.
A US trade delegation has separately expressed interest in investing in Bangladesh and submitted proposals on creating a more favourable investment climate. Muktadir said the government was examining those suggestions.
India is Bangladesh’s second-largest trading partner in Asia after China. Official figures cited by The Economic Times showed India exported goods worth $9.73 billion to Bangladesh in the 2025-26 financial year up to February, while imports from Bangladesh stood at $1.62 billion. Bilateral trade during the period totalled $11.35 billion.
Bangladesh’s trade deficit currently exceeds $27 billion. Muktadir said the country needed to expand both exports and imports substantially to bring trade volumes in line with the size of its economy.
