Moody’s outlook revision to boost foreign investment, employment: Mahdi

Bangladesh’s improved economic outlook, reflected in Moody’s recent revision of the country’s sovereign outlook to stable from negative, is expected to attract more foreign investment and create employment opportunities, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Spokesperson Mahdi Amin said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a press conference at the PMO’s Karobi Hall, Mahdi, who is also an adviser to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, said Moody’s revised Bangladesh’s sovereign outlook to stable from negative while retaining its long-term issuer and senior unsecured rating at B2.

He said the development would strengthen Bangladesh’s international standing and create a more favourable environment for foreign investment and employment.

“We believe this will not only increase foreign investment in Bangladesh but also enhance the country’s international standing and help move forward employment opportunities needed to empower women and young people,” he said.

Asked whether the improved sovereign outlook reflected factors beyond investment and employment, including political stability, democracy and external pressures, Mahdi said the assessment also underscores the importance of an elected government, policy continuity and a more stable business environment.

He said the government’s pro-business and pro-investment policies, coupled with greater international engagement, are helping boost confidence among investors and business leaders.

Mahdi added that the government is pursuing a seven-pronged programme focused on youth empowerment, education and innovation, social protection, energy, healthcare, infrastructure, connectivity and institutional governance.

He said the initiatives are aimed at addressing immediate challenges while laying the foundation for a more prosperous and knowledge-based Bangladesh.

Mahdi said gas supply to industries have improved significantly since Tuesday following a recent disruption.

“The Prime Minister said that he would make the maximum effort to bring the gas supply situation back to normal as quickly as possible so that industries could resume operations and Bangladesh’s economy could maintain its potential and onward journey,” he said.

“Implementation of what the Prime Minister said started within a very short time. Gas flow has increased considerably, and we can see visible improvement in the situation. InshaAllah, this trend will continue in the coming days,” he added.

Mahdi also said inflation and the rate of increase in food prices declined compared with the same period last year, while the supply of essential food items remained relatively satisfactory.

On fuel prices, he said diesel prices in Bangladesh are relatively lower than in many other countries, particularly neighbouring countries, as the government was providing subsidies to keep the burden on consumers under control.

The PMO spokesperson said the government’s major welfare and reform measures over the past month could broadly be grouped into seven areas: youth empowerment, education, information technology and innovation; physical well-being and quality of life; women’s advancement, universal welfare and social protection; environment-friendly energy and climate-resilient industrialisation; modern healthcare, infrastructure and public health; connectivity and traffic management; and institutional governance, public diplomacy and foreign relations.

On youth empowerment, Mahdi said Bangladesh Bank launched a 50 crore taka special loan fund to identify and finance young entrepreneurs at the upazila level across the country.

Around 5,000 promising young entrepreneurs will receive start-up capital support every year under the programme, he said.

Interest-free loan facilities through digital channels were also being introduced for marginal and small entrepreneurs without collateral, he added.

Mahdi said opportunities under a nationwide online start-up fund are also being opened to young people across the country.

He said the Bangladesh Innovation Fair-2026 has been organised to connect young innovators directly with global investors.

Tarique provided guidance and encouragement to young entrepreneurs participating in the fair, while his spouse Dr Zubaida Rahman also interacted with and encouraged them, Mahdi said.

On cybersecurity, he said initiatives have been launched for a national ICT and cybersecurity rating system and a cyber investment reporting system.

The government is also taking steps to provide policy incentives for the local production of modern smartphones, he said.

Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon also spoke at the programme.