Spanning more than fifty years, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have been enjoying long-standing ties of close friendship and cooperation based on abiding trust, goodwill, shared interests and strong people-to-people interactions. Sri Lanka is committed to expand its multifaceted relationship with Bangladesh into a dynamic political, trade and business partnership by diversifying the areas of cooperation.
Despite navigating complex economic challenges, the Bangladesh economy maintains a consistent growth trajectory for several years, making the country an attractive destination for foreign investors. As the second-largest economy in South Asia, Bangladesh is heading to become the World's 25th largest economy in 2035.The economic growth of Bangladesh creates promising opportunities for Sri Lanka to further enhance its cooperation in the areas of trade and investment for mutual benefits.
Among the notable foreign investors, Sri Lanka's companies have significantly invested in the Banking and Finance, Textile and Apparel, Hospitality, Logistics, Power, Retail, and Food processing sectors in Bangladesh. There is consid- erable potential for Sri Lanka's companies to further expand their investment opportunities in Bangladesh in the new emerging other sectors including Tourism, Healthcare, Education, ICT and Business Services, Power Industry, Constructions, Real Estate, and Industrial Manufacturing and Agribusiness etc.
Bangladesh offers a lucrative package for the foreign investors including a business-friendly environment with attractive fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, privileges and facilities, streamlined regulations with an abundant skilled workforce.
To fully realize the potential of bilateral cooperation, Sri Lanka looks forward the cooperation from the Government of Bangladesh in facilitating the rapidly expanding trade and investment between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh,
Additionally, promoting people-to-people exchanges and economic diplomacy initiatives can foster mutual under- standing and trust between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh stakeholders, laying the foundation for long-term cooperation. By harnessing the synergies with respective strengths, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh can forge a deeper and more sustainable economic relationship in the years to come.
