Chinese Company Set to Invest $10.73M in BEPZA Economic Zone

Golam Mainuddin has been unanimously elected as Chairman of Apex Footwear Ltd. during the company’s 282nd Board Meeting. Previously serving as an Independent Director, he is recognized for his leadership at British American Tobacco Bangladesh and holds leadership roles across several major organizations

In 2024, Bata Shoe Company (Bangladesh) reported a 26% year-on-year profit decline, with net profit dropping to Tk 29.57 crore and earnings per share falling from Tk 29.31 to Tk 21.62. The decline was driven by over 10% food inflation and political unrest, which forced the closure of nearly half its stores in Q3.

In 2024, net foreign direct investment (FDI) in Bangladesh fell to a five-year low at $1.27 billion, extending a downward trend that began after the 2021 post-pandemic surge. The drop—a 13.25% decrease from 2023—was highlighted by declining equity inflows and a sharp fall in reinvested earnings.

Bangladesh is drawing increasing interest from foreign investors, especially in technology and digital services, according to Mike Orgill, Uber’s Asia-Pacific head of public policy. He credits this to the government’s openness, proactive engagement with international businesses, and improvements in the investment climate. The recent Bangladesh Investment Summit attracted significant investment proposals and signaled the country’s eagerness to foster global partnerships.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has urged Bangladesh to simplify its licensing system and regulatory procedures to attract higher levels of foreign direct investment (FDI), which averaged only 0.8% of GDP from 2013–2023—far below Cambodia (9.4%), Vietnam (4.6%), and Indonesia (1.9%).

At the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025, China expressed interest in establishing a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Mongla to boost trade and investment, as confirmed by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida).