Invest Bangladesh Authority formally begins journey

The Invest Bangladesh Authority, formed by merging the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida), Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Bepza), and Public-Private Partnership Authority (PPPA), formally began operations by unveiling a new logo yesterday (23 August), its first working day.

Operating under the Prime Minister's Office, the authority will serve as the country's apex investment promotion agency.

The new authority aims to provide investors with a single, coordinated platform for approvals, registrations, import-export services, incentives, industrial zones and other government services.

The Invest Bangladesh Act, 2026, which came into force through a gazette notification on 20 August, provides the legal framework for the merger. It also sets out provisions for defining procedures and timelines for licences, approvals and government services.

The government expects the unified structure to make it easier to attract domestic and foreign investment by providing a one-stop service and reducing fragmentation among investment-related agencies.

Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, popularly known as Ashik Chowdhury, has been appointed chairman of the Invest Bangladesh Authority for one year on a contractual basis. He previously served as executive chairman of Bida, and Beza and chief executive officer of PPPA.

Nahian Rahman Rochi and Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Md Shaharul Huda have also been appointed members for the same period. Both previously served as executive members of Bida.

The government also promoted Md A Razzaque Sarker, director general of the Government Employees Hospital, to the secretary rank and appointed him as a member of the authority.

The appointments were announced through separate gazette notifications issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on 21 August.

"This is more than an institutional merger. It is about organising the government more effectively around the investor," Ashik Chowdhury said. "By uniting our capabilities, we aim to provide clearer accountability and more coordinated support across the investment journey."

Rochi told TBS that the initiative came from investors' demand for a single point of access to government services.

"Our objective will be to make the Invest Bangladesh Authority that single point of access, providing investors with a more coordinated, seamless and accountable experience throughout their investment journey," he said.

The authority will also continue operating BanglaBiz, the country's single digital platform for investment services, offering online and time-bound access to business licences and permits.

A visit to the authority's office in the capital found officials from Bida and Beza working from their existing rooms and desks yesterday. Former PPPA officials were also continuing to work from the agency's previous office in Agargaon.

Officials said there are plans to eventually bring employees of all three agencies under one roof. For now, however, they are carrying out their new responsibilities from their existing offices.

Regular officers and employees of the stakeholders will be absorbed into the Invest Bangladesh Authority in equivalent positions, with continuity of service and existing benefits protected. 

Consultants, outsourced personnel and daily-wage workers will continue under their existing contracts or orders.