Brunei’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Haji Haris bin Osman, has said that foreign investors often feel uncertain about investing in Bangladesh due to frequent policy changes following government transitions.
Speaking at a seminar titled “Enhancing Trade Relations between Bangladesh and Brunei” held at the National Press Club on Sunday, the envoy noted that political changes in Bangladesh tend to bring shifts in policies, creating concerns for international investors.
“We are worried because whenever there is a change in government in Bangladesh, policies also change,” he said. He added that ensuring a stable and predictable business environment would encourage direct investment from Brunei and help Bangladesh expand its access to Southeast Asian markets.
Responding to a question about trade fairs, the ambassador suggested that initiatives taken through the Export Promotion Bureau or relevant business federations could help organize joint trade fairs between the two countries. However, he pointed out that Bangladesh’s trade fairs are not adequately promoted globally.
He emphasized that organizations like the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, EPB, and Bangladeshi missions abroad need to play a more proactive role in attracting foreign investors.
On the formation of a joint chamber, he said multiple initiatives have been taken to establish a “Brunei-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce” and expressed hope that it would eventually materialize to strengthen business ties.
Highlighting investment opportunities, the envoy said Bangladesh has some promising examples of economic zones, where companies from countries like Japan and Germany are already operating. He stressed the need to further promote such zones, noting that special economic zones can operate independently and help remove many investment barriers.
In the agricultural sector, he mentioned that Brunei is interested in importing aromatic rice from Bangladesh. Although past efforts were hindered by natural disasters, he said there is also strong potential for exporting fruits like mangoes and jackfruits, which could find a significant market in Brunei.
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