BIDA, UNDP collaborate to streamline investor clearance system
To make Bangladesh more attractive for foreign investors and professionals, the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), organised a workshop titled "Work Permit and Security Clearance Process" on 15 October 2025 at the BIDA Auditorium, Dhaka.
The workshop, held under the Transformative Economic Policy Programme (TEPP-II) supported by the UK Government's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), brought together key government entities, including the Ministry of Home Affairs, to discuss ways to simplify and harmonise work permit and security clearance procedures for foreign professionals and investors.
Bangladesh's rapid economic growth has created strong demand for skilled foreign professionals. However, delays and complex administrative processes have often discouraged potential investors. The workshop focused on aligning institutional systems, improving coordination, and promoting transparent and user-friendly services for foreign applicants.
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Chowdhury Ashik Mohammad Bin Harun, Executive Chairman of BIDA, announced several new measures to enhance transparency and efficiency. Highlighting BIDA's progress in automation and process simplification, he said,
"We have already launched the online security clearance process as of 1 October, and we are working to digitalise visa fee payments to make the system faster and more transparent."
Delwar Hossain, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, expressed optimism about the outcome, describing the session as "vibrant and fruitful". He said, "With the help of BIDA, security-related activities have been fully digitalised, and we are continuously working to make passport services entirely online."
UNDP is supporting the integration of BIDA's One Stop Service (OSS) with the Ministry of Home Affairs to digitise and streamline work permit and security clearance procedures under the TEPP-II project. The reform aims to reduce manual steps, improve transparency, and create a more efficient process for foreign investors and professionals.
The initiative marks a significant step toward developing a more investor-friendly environment in Bangladesh—helping attract global talent, accelerate foreign investment, and support the country's journey towards sustainable economic growth.
