UNDP Seeks Stronger Partnership With Bangladesh to Boost Investment and Trade

Dhaka, The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has expressed its willingness to deepen cooperation with Bangladesh in areas including investment promotion, trade facilitation, logistics, export development and support for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

The discussions took place during a meeting between Bangladesh Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir and UNDP Bangladesh Resident Representative Stephen Rodriques at the Secretariat in Dhaka on Sunday. The two sides discussed ways to strengthen Bangladesh’s economic competitiveness while creating better opportunities for businesses and investors.

UNDP Highlights Bangladesh’s Investment Potential

During the meeting, UNDP representatives said Bangladesh’s investment prospects were gradually improving.

The development agency emphasized the importance of taking advantage of those opportunities while simultaneously strengthening domestic businesses and maintaining appropriate environmental and social standards.

The approach reflects Bangladesh’s broader efforts to attract investment while improving the conditions in which local enterprises operate.

Reducing Logistics Costs Becomes a Priority

Another important subject discussed during the meeting was Bangladesh’s relatively high logistics costs.

The government and UNDP examined ways to improve the efficiency of ports and terminal operations and reduce the time and expense associated with moving goods.

Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir said the government wants to improve Bangladesh’s trade competitiveness through internationally benchmarked management practices.

Faster cargo handling and more efficient logistics could help businesses reduce costs and improve their ability to compete in international markets.

Government Working to Simplify Business Procedures

The Commerce Minister said the government has introduced measures aimed at making business licensing and approval procedures simpler.

According to the minister, some processes that previously required nearly three months can now be completed within approximately two weeks.

He said additional measures would be taken to make these procedures faster, simpler and more effective.

Streamlining administrative procedures is expected to make it easier for businesses and investors to complete regulatory requirements.

Greater Support for MSMEs

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises were another major focus of the discussions.

The Commerce Minister described MSMEs as an important part of Bangladesh’s economy and requested UNDP assistance in identifying financing gaps affecting smaller businesses.

The government also wants support for entrepreneur training, business-skill development and the creation of stronger connections between MSMEs and potential markets.

UNDP said it would explore ways to connect small and medium-sized enterprises with global supply chains and help make them more export-oriented.

Strengthening Bangladesh’s Export Capacity

UNDP also expressed readiness to help Bangladesh improve its export capabilities.

The organization indicated that it could support efforts to reduce unnecessary delays in customs procedures and improve trade facilitation.

Another area of potential cooperation is strengthening Bangladesh’s capacity to participate in international trade negotiations. UNDP said training, appropriate tools and international experience could help officials develop greater expertise in this area.

Economic Diversification on the Agenda

The discussions also touched on Bangladesh’s broader economic transformation.

UNDP Resident Representative Stephen Rodriques said the organization would align its support with government priorities involving employment generation, economic growth and diversification.

He also expressed optimism about recent changes in Bangladesh and said international investors were viewing the country’s developments positively.

A Wider Partnership for Economic Transformation

The latest discussions build on UNDP’s existing economic-policy work in Bangladesh.

UNDP’s Transformative Economic Policy Programme is already focused on strengthening trade-policy institutions, investment promotion and the country’s economic resilience as Bangladesh prepares for its transition beyond Least Developed Country status.

The organization has also previously worked with Bangladesh on investment-policy reform and trade-policy capacity, including cooperation with the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority and the Ministry of Commerce.

What Comes Next

The latest meeting did not announce a single new financial package or investment agreement. Instead, it established areas where UNDP and Bangladesh could deepen cooperation.

The priorities identified—including trade facilitation, logistics, MSME development, export capacity and investment promotion—could become important components of future technical assistance and development programmes.

For Bangladesh, stronger cooperation with UNDP could help address some of the structural challenges facing businesses as the country seeks to expand exports, attract investment and strengthen its position in international markets.

Source: United Nations Development Programme / Bangladesh Government information, August 30, 2026.