Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has called on global investors to bring their businesses to Bangladesh as a means to help change the world.
He said: “Bangladesh is a country of crazy ideas that aim to change the world. And Bangladesh is making it happen.”
He made these remarks while addressing a session of the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025, held on Wednesday at the Hotel Intercontinental in Dhaka.
The chief adviser said: “There are excellent business opportunities in Bangladesh. These ventures can create not only opportunities for the country but also for the entire world. Although microfinance began in a small village in Bangladesh, it has now grown into one of the biggest businesses in America.”
Earlier, Professor Yunus presented awards to several institutions in four categories for their contributions to investment.
The award-winning institutions included Walton (domestic investor), bKash (foreign investor), Square Pharmaceuticals, and Square Textiles. Additionally, in a special category, honorary citizenship was conferred upon Kihak Sung, Chairman of the Korean Export Processing Zone.
During his speech, he reflected on the famine of 1974 and said: “In 1971, we won our independence through the sacrifice of countless lives. At the time, Bangladesh's population was one-third of what it is today—now at 180 million. Then came 1974…”
At this point, the chief adviser fell silent, overcome with emotion. He remained speechless for a while before resuming his speech, his eyes wide open.
He said: “People died of hunger. There was a terrible famine in our country—1.5 million people lost their lives. That was the reality of independent Bangladesh at that time.”
Professor Yunus continued: “Back then, our people were known only as farmers, dependent on a single crop for survival. But if you look at the journey from 1974 to 2025, it has been extraordinary. We’re now talking about major industries, attracting foreign companies, expanding markets, and benefiting from a young population. In a remarkably short time, this is the Bangladesh we see today.”
He went on to recall: “Microcredit programs were initially offered to women. That’s how Grameen Bank was born. We had no idea what direction it would take, but it eventually became a global name.”
Remembering the launch of Grameenphone, he said: “The government once asked, ‘What should we do with the telephone company?’ I responded, ‘Let’s give it to poor women.’ We secured the license, and Grameenphone was established after Grameen Bank.”
Addressing investors, he remarked: “I’ve always said that simply giving public money to the poor is not a solution. The solution lies in building infrastructure and unleashing people’s potential. Microfinance may be a small initiative, but it’s a powerful one. A bold and unconventional move was made when the government issued a telephone license under this vision.”
The conference is being organized by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).
Speakers at the session included Oscar Garcia from Spain, Rosie Winterton from the UK, and Nasim Manzur from Bangladesh.
BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun presented a paper outlining business and investment opportunities in Bangladesh.
The event was moderated by Lutfey Siddiqi, special envoy for international affairs to the chief adviser.
The four-day summit, which began on April 7, showcases the country’s growing investment prospects and ongoing economic reforms.
The summit aims to highlight Bangladesh’s investment potential, the reforms introduced following the July Revolution, and the development of a long-term investment pipeline to support sustainable economic growth.
Investors, top business executives, and policymakers from around the world are attending the summit.
