Bangladeshi-American investor Imran Khan, former Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) of instant messaging platform Snapchat, has expressed interest in investing in Bangladesh.
He met with Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, in New York on Saturday (local time).
Imran Khan, 48, is currently Chairman of the Board of Aleph Holding. He moved to the United States at the age of 18 for higher studies and later built a reputation as an investment banker for tech companies.
He began his career at JP Morgan and Credit Suisse and rose to global prominence for his key role in Alibaba’s record-breaking IPO. As Snapchat’s CSO, he helped grow the company’s valuation from zero to $728 million within months.
During the meeting, Professor Yunus urged Imran Khan to invest in Bangladesh’s rapidly expanding fintech, healthcare and social business sectors. In response, Imran said Professor Yunus’s lifelong mission to eradicate poverty had deeply inspired him and that “now is the right time to invest in the motherland.” “I’m a big fan of your work. You are our national pride,” Imran told Yunus.
Imran Khan said he has been closely observing Bangladesh’s investment climate since the interim government took office and believes the regulatory environment is now more favorable. He expressed optimism about the country’s fast-growing fintech sector, calling Bangladesh a “frontier market” with vast growth potential, a large young population, and “limitless opportunities.”
In 2018, Imran founded Prime Asset, an investment firm focused on technology-driven sectors, particularly fintech. His portfolio includes payments, digital infrastructure, and other emerging industries.
Professor Yunus invited Imran Khan to visit Bangladesh soon to explore investment opportunities firsthand. Imran Khan responded by saying he plans to visit in the coming months. “Bangladesh needs role models like you for its young generation,” Yunus said. “This is an inspiring time for the country, and you can help energize the next generation.”
During the meeting, Yunus also proposed that top US investors allocate one percent of their total investments to social business or create a dedicated fund for it. Imran welcomed the idea and expressed interest in future participation.
SDG Affairs Chief Coordinator at the Chief Adviser’s Office, Lamia Morshed, was also present at the meeting.
