A $500 billion economy with a young, rising consumer base
Bangladesh sits at the crossroads of India, China and South-East Asia — 176 million people, a median age of 26, record remittances and one of Asia’s most attractively valued stock markets. If you are not investing in Bangladesh, you may miss the growth this economy generates in the next decade.
Resilient growth, decade after decade
The tale of Bangladesh is a story of resilient and consistent economic growth, a booming middle class, continuous infrastructure development and rising financial inclusion through mobile financial services.
The economy has averaged around 6% annual growth over the past decade and weathered the global financial crisis and the pandemic without a recession.
“Considered by many as the next Asian Tiger.”
The economy at a glance — latest data
Every figure is dated, so you know exactly how current it is.
Gross domestic product
FY2025-26 · BBS
Up from 3.49% the year before; ~6% decade average
FY2025-26 · BBS provisional
Above $3,000 for the first time
FY2025-26 · BBS
Growing by ~2 million a year; 42% urban
Oct 2025 · DataReportal
A young, working-age population
2026 · DataReportal
All-time high, up 17.3%
FY2025-26 · Bangladesh Bank
Over 80% from ready-made garments
FY2025-26 · EPB
Gross; $31.5B by IMF BPM6 · ~4.8 months of imports
Sep 2026 · Bangladesh Bank
10-month low, down for a second month
Aug 2026 · BBS
105% of the population
2026 · DataReportal
Growing ~7% a year
2026 · DataReportal
Strong returns. Low valuations.
The Dhaka Stock Exchange delivered the region’s second-best return in the first half of 2026 — while trading at a fraction of the valuation of its neighbours.
Stock market returns, H1 2026
Main index, 1 Jan – 30 Jun 2026 · grey bars are losses
Price-to-earnings ratio (lower = cheaper)
Market P/E, mid-2026
Dividend yield (higher = more income)
Mid-2026
Sources: The Business Standard regional peer review (H1 2026 returns, P/E and dividend yields, published 1 Jul 2026); TBS (market capitalisation, 27 Jul 2026). In September 2026 the DSEX eased 0.85% to 5,550 — the shallowest monthly decline among major regional markets. Returns are in local currency; past performance does not guarantee future returns.
Mega projects reshaping the economy
Transformational infrastructure is connecting untapped regions to the formal economy and cutting the cost of doing business.
● Operational since 2022Padma Bridge
Estimated to lift GDP by more than one percent, linking the south-west directly to Dhaka and the formal economy.
◐ Under developmentMatarbari deep-sea port
Expected to add 2–3% to GDP, raise port handling capacity by 77% and cut vessel turnaround time by more than half.
● Operational since 2022Dhaka Metro Rail
Estimated to save about Tk 200 billion ($2.4 billion) a year — around 1.5% of GDP — by cutting traffic congestion in the capital.
A global manufacturing powerhouse
Bangladesh is one of the world’s largest garment exporters, and its external position has strengthened sharply: record remittances and steady exports have rebuilt foreign exchange reserves to their highest level in years.
FY2025-26 · RMG $38.7B (80%+)
FY2025-26 · record high, +17.3%
Sep 2026 · ~4.8 months of import cover (BPM6)
Global funds and tech giants are investing in Bangladesh
2021Commerce platform ShopUp raises $75 million — Bangladesh’s largest start-up funding — as Sequoia enters the market.
Read more →
2021Japan’s SoftBank Group acquires a 20% stake in bKash, Bangladesh’s leading mobile financial service.
Read more →
2022Walton becomes the first Bangladeshi company featured in Nat Geo’s “Superfactories”.
Read more →
2018Ant Financial (Alipay’s parent) buys a 20% stake in bKash.
Read more →
Invest in Bangladesh from anywhere in the world
Mika Securities — a DSE member since 2005 (TREC No. 215) with an A+ credit rating — guides foreign investors and Non-Resident Bangladeshis through every step.
Open a NITA
Open a Non-resident Investor’s Taka Account (NITA) with a bank in Bangladesh to bring in and take out your investment funds.
Open a BO account
Open your BO (Beneficiary Owner) account with Mika Securities — we help foreign individuals, institutions and NRBs with the documents.
Invest
Trade stocks, IPOs, mutual funds and Treasury Bonds through your dedicated trader or the Amar Biniyog app.
Repatriate
Dividends and sale proceeds can be repatriated through your NITA, subject to applicable taxes and Bangladesh Bank rules.
Frontier-market risks to consider
We believe informed investors make better long-term decisions.
Frequently asked questions
What is a BO account?
BO stands for Beneficiary Owner. It’s the account that holds your shares — like an inbox holding all your emails. Shares from new IPOs and most secondary-market shares are held electronically in a BO account in your name. Foreign investors and NRBs can open a BO account through Mika Securities by completing the required forms and documents.
Who can open a BO account?
- Bangladeshi residents
- Institutions originated in Bangladesh
- Foreign companies and institutions
- Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRBs)
How do I open a BO account?
Complete and submit the BO account opening form — start here. You’ll receive a confirmation email once your account is opened, usually within 2 working days. Foreign investors and NRBs can also contact our team for guidance.
What documents are required?
- Completed BO account opening (KYC) form
- Passport-size photographs (2 copies)
- A copy of your National ID card or passport
- Passport-size photographs for nominee / power of attorney / authorised person
- Bank statement or account details with routing number, or a MICR cheque leaf copy
- Registered mobile number and a valid email address
Foreign companies and institutions
- Memorandum and Articles of Association
- Trade licence (if any)
- Board resolution
Non-Resident Bangladeshis
- Attested copy of passport / social security card / residence card (attested by the Bangladesh Embassy or High Commission if living abroad)
- A bank account with a Bangladeshi bank
- Proof of earnings — employment certificate, trade licence, work authorisation, payslip or tax return
- Power of Attorney documents if someone will manage the account while you live abroad
Can I take my profits out of Bangladesh?
Yes. Foreign portfolio investments made through a NITA can repatriate dividends and sale proceeds, subject to applicable taxes and Bangladesh Bank regulations. Our team will guide you through the process.
Can I also invest in Treasury Bonds?
Yes. Foreigners and non-residents can buy Bangladesh Government Treasury Bonds — currently yielding around 8.6–9.4% — with coupons and proceeds transferable abroad after applicable taxes. Learn more.
Ready to invest in Bangladesh’s growth?
Talk to our foreign investor desk, or start with our investment guidance. We’ll help you open your account and build your portfolio.
WhatsApp / call +880 1730-062188 · info@mikasecurities.net
Data sources: Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (GDP, growth, per capita income FY2025-26 provisional; inflation Aug 2026), Bangladesh Bank (remittances FY2025-26; reserves Sep 2026), Export Promotion Bureau (exports FY2025-26), DataReportal Digital 2026 (population, median age, mobile and internet), Cbonds (bond yield), The Business Standard (market data). Figures are indicative and subject to revision. Investment in the capital market carries risk; share prices can fall as well as rise and past performance does not guarantee future returns. Mika Securities Ltd. is a TREC-holding stock broker of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (TREC No. 215) and a CDBL depository participant.