Ferdausur Rahman, Barrister (Lincoln’s Inn) and Partner at A.S & Associates, highlights the business opportunities in the fast growing economy of Bangladesh and the legal services his firm can provide to the investors.

Bangladesh is a booming economy. According to the IMF, the Bangladeshi economy is projected to grow from $180 billion to $322 billion by 2021. The rate of GDP in 2015 was $195.1 Billion and the gradually escalating growth rate was 6.6%. High-growth domestic markets, government support, lower valuations of takeover targets and ready access to capital have provided unprecedented opportunities for investors all across the world to explore the new market in Bangladesh.

The region is already one of the leading FDI targets in the Asia Pacific. In the last six years, net FDI inflows into Bangladesh have grown enormously, hitting $2.2 billion in 2015. China alone is planning to increase the Chinese FDI in Bangladesh by 50% in the coming years. Bangladesh has the third largest capital market of South Asia with two full-fledged automated stock exchanges, hosted on computer based trading system. Consequently, the country is seeing more and more of direct foreign and local investments in different corporate sectors and in the capital market. The Central Bank has started to give permission to local investors for making investment abroad.

The increased need of investment is facilitated by various legislations, development of infrastructure through public private partnership and supported by multiple commercial banks, financing corporations and NBFIs. Tax holiday has been given for new businesses, special Economic Zones and new Deep Sea Port to facilitate export-import have been established. The Govt. is aiming to increase power generation capacity from 12,339 Megawatt to 30,000 MW by 2021 by establishing multiple LNG, coal, solar and wind based power plants by foreign/local companies on BOT/ BOO basis. The Real Estate, Telecommunication and Tourism sectors are also expanding.

Truly, Bangladesh has become investors’ new destination. At A.S & Associates, we provide specialised legal services to the potential investors and businesses for secured investment. A.S & Associates, is a leading Bangladeshi Corporate Law firm, specialised in foreign direct investment, corporate and project financing, capital market, corporate restructuring including M&A, energy and power sector, banking and financial institution related matters, construction sector, employment law, real estate/land related matters, corporate governance and compliance, telecommunication and admiralty matters and litigation and arbitration.

The Global Law Expert-recommended firm has 19 lawyers and operates from its principal office in Dhaka, branch office at Maymensingh, and network firm at Moulovibazar. The firm is the exclusive Bangladesh member of TAGLaw, a worldwide alliance of international law firms over 90 countries.