Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman emphasized the necessity of increased investment to address the ongoing economic pressures in Bangladesh. Speaking at the One Stop Service (OSS) implementation progress review meeting held at the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority's (BIDA) headquarters, Rahman highlighted the critical need for both domestic and foreign investments.

“To shield our economy from the current pressures, the most crucial requirement is investment – both domestic and foreign,” Rahman stated. He underscored that the successful implementation of BIDA's OSS would significantly bolster investment inflows, thus strengthening the economy.

Rahman attributed the multifaceted economic challenges faced by Bangladesh to global factors rather than domestic mismanagement. “The country's economy is encountering numerous challenges. These issues are not a result of our mismanagement but are due to international circumstances,” he explained. He pointed to the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war as key contributors to the current economic strain.

“The problem intensified when the Federal Reserve raised interest rates, leading to an appreciation of the dollar and putting pressure on Bangladesh's reserves,” Rahman noted. He further explained that the surge in prices of essential imports such as commodities, fertilizers, and fuel has exacerbated the economic pressure.

Following Rahman's address, BIDA Executive Member Mohsina Yasmin presented a detailed report on the implementation and progress of the OSS initiative. The OSS aims to streamline the investment process and facilitate a more investor-friendly environment, thus attracting more investment to support the nation's economic growth.

Rahman's remarks underscore the importance of strategic investment initiatives to navigate the economic challenges posed by global events and ensure sustainable economic development in Bangladesh.