Desk Report:
With the aim of making the country’s investment development and investment services easier, faster and more integrated, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) and Public-Private Partnership Authority (PPPA) have merged and launched operations under the name ‘Invest Bangladesh’. The new authority officially launched its journey on Sunday (August 23) on the first working day after the gazette was published under the Invest Bangladesh Act, 2026. At the same time, the new brand identity of Invest Bangladesh was unveiled.
As the country’s highest investment development agency under the Prime Minister’s Office, Invest Bangladesh will now bring the capabilities of investment facilitation, policy coordination, economic zone development and public-private partnership (PPP) activities under one organization. As a result, domestic and foreign investors will get a unified platform for investment opportunities, approvals, services and policy support in Bangladesh.
Invest Bangladesh Chairman Ashiq Chowdhury said that this is not just an institutional merger; rather, it is an initiative to organize government activities more effectively, keeping in mind the needs of investors. The aim is to ensure clearer accountability and coordinated support in the entire investment process by combining capabilities, he said.
The Invest Bangladesh Act, 2026 has created an opportunity to bring economic zones, free trade zones and other declared industrial zones under a unified framework. At the same time, it has been made possible to set specific processes and time limits for licensing, approvals and provision of government services, a clearer approval framework for public-private partnership projects and a simpler process for small-scale PPP projects.
The law has also created opportunities for using unused or under-utilized government land, facilities, shares and various rights for productive purposes. In addition, provisions have been made to bring investment and business services under a single digital platform. Through this, initiatives will be taken to make one-stop services, single-window clearance and online business licensing and approval processes more effective.
Invest Bangladesh will help investors obtain the necessary approvals, select investment-friendly locations and remove various obstacles in business expansion. In addition, the activities of the single digital platform for investment services in Bangladesh, ‘BanglaBiz’, will also continue. Through this, there will be an opportunity to obtain business licenses and various approvals online within a specified time.
Invest Bangladesh is working to implement the 14-day business license framework that the government has taken to ensure a fast and predictable business environment. It has been informed that the implementation progress of the government’s commitment made in March in this regard will be published before the end of the 180-day period.
Under the new system, economic zones will get priority in terms of investment. Because these regions have relatively easy access to utility facilities and transportation networks. However, Invest Bangladesh will facilitate investment in various projects outside the economic zones. There will also be an opportunity to implement projects, especially by using unused government resources.
Meanwhile, the regular officers and employees of BIDA, BEZA and PPPA will be merged into Invest Bangladesh at the same level. Their job continuity and existing benefits will be protected. On the other hand, consultants, outsourced workers and daily wage workers will perform their duties as per their existing contracts or appointment orders.
Through this new unified framework, the government hopes to make the investment environment in Bangladesh more competitive and investment-friendly by reducing the complexity of accessing government services for investors.
