DHAKA: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Bangladesh is on the decline as the country received FDI worth US$ 700.16 million in 2009, down by US$ 386.14 million from the previous year.

The World Investment Report published Thursday at the office the Board of Investment (BOI) revealed the fall in FDI inflow.

BOI Chairman Dr. Abdus Samad said though FDI declined, domestic investment rose much.

About external factors for the setback in foreign investment, he said FDI decreased more in other South Asian countries.

The BOI chief pointed out energy and power shortages as a major damper on the investment inflow. “But the foreign investors blamed bureaucratic tangles for the poor FDI flow,” he said.

SA Samad said Bangladesh is open to all for making investment. Here no foreign investment was hampered--before closing their business, the government never compelled foreign investors to leave the country. “After all this, it’s of course a matter of concern why foreign investment is less.”

However, it’s true that more investment cannot be expected in the present state of annual growth.

Rather it also true that more investment is not expectable to the purpose of the recent annual growth.

Dr. Ismail Hossain, professor of Jahangirnagar University, expressed the hope to see increased investment this year though the investment declined in 2009.

Professor Ismail said problems and prospects should be weighed regarding foreign investment. “Problematic investment should be avoided. And positive signal should come in an appropriate time for productive investment.”  
 
BDST:1740 HRS,  JULY 22, 2010