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FDI edges down for first time in 7 years
Photo: LINKEDIN
Foreign direct investment to Bangladesh dropped last fiscal year, the first decline in seven years, because of the pandemic-induced slowdown in business and regulatory barriers.
Net FDI nosedived 39 per cent year-on-year to $2.37 billion last fiscal year, data from the central bank showed.
The about-face in the FDI came just a year after it surged to its highest on record, riding mainly on Japan Tobacco Inc s acquisition of Akij Group s tobacco business for $1.47 billion. In 2018-19, net FDI stood at $3.88 billion.
Although the financial meltdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic has taken a toll on the FDI flow, the whole situation should not be judged by the ongoing economic hardship alone, analysts say.