Business Desk:
Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) and Public-Private Partnership Authority (PPPA) are going to be merged.
To this end, the Invest Bangladesh Bill was passed in the National Parliament on Wednesday (July 15, 2026). The law will come into effect from the date specified by the government through a gazette notification. At the same time, there are plans to officially start the activities of Invest Bangladesh under the new identity.
If the law comes into effect, Invest Bangladesh, formed through this, will function as the country’s top investment development agency under the Prime Minister’s Office. Its goal is to make the process of receiving services for investors easier, faster and more integrated and to bring investment development, industrial zone management and public-private partnership activities under a single institutional structure.
“We are grateful for the government’s clear focus on initiatives that will have a tangible impact in attracting private investment, supporting investors and supporting policies. A truly one-stop service framework for investors is essential to bring in the investment the country needs to achieve its growth and employment goals. Such an integrated investment agency has long been a recommendation of domestic and foreign investors. At the same time, UNCTAD has also recommended this merger after reviewing the progress of Bangladesh’s business environment reforms. We believe that Invest Bangladesh will be able to serve investors more effectively and will be able to more strongly highlight Bangladesh’s value proposition in the competitive global investment environment,” said Ashiq Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of BIDA and BEZA and CEO of PPPA.
The passage of the Invest Bangladesh Bill is an important step in the government’s commitment to implement the 180-day business-friendly environment development plan announced in March 2026. Through this, the investment service framework will be further strengthened to increase domestic and foreign investment, accelerate industrialization, expand public-private partnerships and create employment.
Under the new authority, the investment-related approval, registration, import-export, incentives, industrial zone development and related government service processes will be coordinated more effectively. At the same time, opportunities have been created for single window clearance, one-stop service, digitalization of approval and licensing processes and bringing investment and business-related services to a single digital platform.
Notable aspects of the Invest Bangladesh Bill include the opportunity to bring declared industrial zones, economic zones and free trade zones under an integrated framework; determining the method and time frame for providing licenses, approvals and services; clarifying the framework for PPP project approval; the opportunity for easy approval through the relevant ministry or department for small PPP projects; provision for using unused government land, facilities, shares and rights for productive purposes; and a provision for bringing all investment and business-related services to a single digital platform.
The bill will help reduce policy inconsistencies in investment promotion activities, avoid duplication and duplication of mandates of various agencies, and enhance coordination in related activities. This paves the way for the establishment of an integrated investment management framework consistent with international standards and best practices.
If the Invest Bangladesh Bill becomes law, the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Act, 2016, the Bangladesh Economic Zones Act, 2010, the Public-Private Partnership Act, 2015, and the One-Stop Service Act, 2018 will be repealed. Through this, the respective mandates will be merged under Invest Bangladesh.
