The Netherlands has emerged as the largest source of net foreign direct investment (FDI) in Bangladesh in 2025, according to a Bangladesh Bank report that highlights a strong rebound in foreign capital inflows.
The central bank’s FDI and External Debt report shows that the Netherlands contributed $544.61 million, accounting for 30.76 percent of total net FDI inflows during the year. This makes it the top foreign investor in Bangladesh for the period.
Overall net FDI inflows rose significantly to $1.77 billion in 2025, compared to $1.27 billion in 2024, marking a notable recovery after a period of slowdown. Bangladesh Bank noted that inflows had weakened over the previous three years, with political instability cited as a key factor behind reduced investment in mid-2024.
The report further explained that the increase in FDI was driven by a rise in intra-company loans worth $330.31 million and an additional $159.71 million in reinvested earnings. Net FDI refers to total foreign capital entering a country after accounting for repatriated funds, loan repayments, and disinvestment by foreign firms.
China ranked as the second-largest investor with $321.15 million, or 18.13 per cent of total inflows, followed by Singapore with $192.43 million, representing 10.86 per cent.
Other major contributors included South Korea and the United Kingdom, which invested $171.70 million and $169.41 million respectively. Additional investment also came from India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates.
Sector-wise, the power industry attracted the highest share of foreign investment at $448.18 million, while the top 10 sectors together accounted for over 99 per cent of total inflows.
Bangladesh Bank emphasised that both domestic and foreign investment play crucial roles in economic growth, noting that local investment supports savings, consumption, and employment, while foreign capital helps bridge the national savings gap and strengthens development capacity.
