BanglaBiz Investor Portal launched: What benefits will businesses get?
This integration allows the entire business registration process to be completed within just three working days
Highlights:
- One application for five key approvals
- Business registration completed in three days
- Single digital gateway for investor services
- Predictable timelines and transparent workflows
- Over 20 approvals in one platform
- Sector-specific approval guidance via KYA
- Dedicated support through RM Connect
In a major boost to Bangladesh's investment climate, the BanglaBiz (Phase 2) Investor Portal was officially launched today (1 February), introducing a streamlined digital ecosystem aimed at significantly improving the ease of doing business.
The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), unveiled the new features of BanglaBiz at an event held at BIDA's head office in Agargaon.
The launch marks a major milestone toward establishing a single, fully digitised platform for investor services in the country.
The centrepiece of Phase 2 is a new business starter package that enables investors to complete five critical approvals – name clearance, temporary bank account opening, company incorporation, e-TIN, and trade license – through a single application.
This integration allows the entire business registration process to be completed within just three working days.
Beyond initial registration, BanglaBiz (Phase 2) integrates more than 20 commonly required approvals, including environmental clearances, VAT registration, factory and fire safety licences, and import-export certificates.
New features such as the 'Know Your Approvals (KYA)' tool and RM (Relationship Manager) Connect aim to guide investors through regulatory requirements more efficiently.
The platform also introduces the BanglaBiz ID (BBID), a unique business identifier, along with Single Sign-On (SSO) functionality, enabling seamless access across multiple Investment Promotion Agency systems.
Lutfey Siddiqi, chief adviser's special envoy for international affairs, attended the event as the chief guest, while Saida Shinichi, ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, was present as the guest of honour.
Special guests included Md Rezaul Maksud Jahedi, secretary, Ministry of Local Government Division, and Ichiguchi Tomohide, chief representative of JICA Bangladesh. The programme was chaired by Bida Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun.
In his speech, Lutfey Siddiqi stressed the need for a fundamental shift toward user-centric digitalisation in government services.
"We don't start with our processes... or the allocation of business between ministries. We start with the user," he said.
He highlighted that digitalisation must go beyond merely putting current processes online; it should involve eliminating excessive and unnecessary steps.
Lutfey Siddiqi cited Estonia as a global example, noting that its e-residency scheme allows anyone to set up a business in just 15 minutes and has generated over 125 million euros in revenue.
He also praised the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) for its transparency, calling it a role model among government organisations.
JICA Bangladesh Chief Representative Tomohide Ichiguchi said investors have long demanded fast, predictable, and transparent services. "BanglaBiz is a concrete answer to those voices," he said, describing the platform as a "game changer" for Bangladesh's investment environment.
BIDA Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury said investors need predictable timelines, transparent workflows, and a single place to get things done.
"BanglaBiz is being built as a multi-agency service portal to reduce friction in doing business for both domestic and foreign investors," he said, adding that the platform has been designated as the unified gateway for all government investment-related services, pending gazette notification.
The first version of BanglaBiz was launched on 28 September 2025 as an information portal, linking existing One Stop Service platforms of key investment authorities.
It linked the existing One Stop Service (OSS) portals of Bangladesh's investment promotion agencies, including Bida, the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza), the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (Bepza), the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority (BHTPA), and the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC), providing investors with a single digital entry point to essential information and services.
