Interim govt reports major progress in investment facilitation across ministries

The interim government yesterday (2 November) said significant advancements have been noted in investment facilitation initiatives across ministries and departments in the country.

The updates were presented at the 5th Investment Coordination Committee meeting, chaired by Lutfey Siddiqi, special envoy on International Affairs to the chief adviser, reads a press release.

"Our focus on execution and holding each other accountable at this meeting demonstrates our commitment to improving the operating environment for businesses. We have a long way to go but we are going there with clear intent, rigour and transparency," he said.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur, Chief Adviser's Special Assistant for ICT Faiz Ahmed Taiyeb, BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan, along with various secretaries and private business stakeholders, also attended the meeting.

Amendment to free of charge (FoC) import policy

The Ministry of Commerce has agreed a policy amendment in principle, to abolish quotas for Free of Charge (FoC) imports by 100% export-oriented companies, said the Chief Adviser's press wing.

The Import Policy Order amendment should be completed within two weeks. This reform is expected to significantly reduce inventory costs and enhance competitiveness.

According to BGMEA, the unconditional implementation of this FOC policy could have a multibillion dollar impact on export revenues.

Digital infrastructure takes centre stage

A major achievement is the successful launch of Phase 1 of the Bangladesh Business Portal in September 2025, establishing a unified digital gateway for investors.

Phase 2, scheduled for completion by December 2025, will introduce the Business Starter Package and Single Sign-On functionality, integrating 29 government services into one streamlined platform.

The system will ultimately achieve data interoperability with Bangladesh Single Window (BSW), ASYCUDA, and the Customs Bond Management System (CBMS), creating an unprecedented level of coordination across regulatory agencies.

The initiative aligns with Bangladesh's broader digital governance strategy and responds directly to investor feedback, which calls for reduced processing times and enhanced transparency.

Port and Customs Modernisation Accelerates

The government is implementing transformative changes at Chittagong Port, including the ongoing construction of Laldia Yard and the Taltala Container Yard, with the latter's 6.25-acre facility expected to be operational very soon. These expansions directly address container congestion issues.

A major decongestion initiative is underway to clear over 6,000 containers currently held at the port, with inventory processing completed on almost all of them and specialised auctions already placing 403 containers.

Work is also underway, through a seven-member expert committee, to establish clear protocols for the disposal of dangerous goods.

On the technology front, the Automated Risk Management Software (ARMS) is progressing through API installation phases, promising to revolutionise cargo inspection through data-driven risk profiling.

The Central Bonded Warehouse framework has advanced to the draft SRO stage and awaits summary approval.

Meanwhile, new scanner procurement guidelines now authorise the Port Authority to purchase scanners, with specifications from the National Board of Revenue.

The Chittagong Port Authority now communicates directly with the National Board of Revenue for rapid resolution of issues, copying but not going via the Ministry of Shipping.

Banking and financial sevices reforms

Responding to private sector requests, the central bank has helped activate Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) services at port-area bank branches and is pursuing 24x7 service availability to match the operational realities of international trade.

Bangladesh Bank is developing comprehensive flowchart documentation of payment processes for export-import transactions, which will be disseminated through digital channels to diagrammatically clarify regulatory processes.

A policy review is underway regarding advance payment limits for imports, Export Retention Quota (ERQ) flexibility, and dollar transfer mechanisms from Bangladesh taka accounts - reforms that could substantially improve working capital management for export-oriented industries.

Streamlined business registration and licensing

Single-Entry Points have been established for entrepreneurs to access services in Dhaka South, Dhaka North, Chittagong, and Sylhet City Corporations.

The Local Government Division intends to roll out similar platforms for gradual rollout across the nation, ensuring consistency with BIDA's platform architecture.

In response to feedback, trade license renewal options are now extended from one to five years, reducing the burden of renewing annually.

Public-Private Partnership framework advancement

The draft National Strategy for the adoption and implementation of the PPP Model has been completed, with stakeholder consultations concluded and submission to the Planning Commission pending for finalisation.

This framework will provide institutional clarity and risk-sharing mechanisms essential for large-scale infrastructure financing.

Investment pipeline and transparency measures

In line with enhanced monitoring protocols, all investment agencies now submit pipeline project data to BIDA each month, enabling comprehensive analysis of total investment interests, conversion to actual deals, domestic versus foreign capital deployment, and country-specific investment patterns.

BIDA presents consolidated summaries to the Investment Coordination Committee, ensuring evidence-based policymaking and rapid response to emerging trends.

Environmental integration and sustainability

Recognising the strategic importance of environmental considerations in investment decisions, BIDA, the Department of Environment, and the Forest Department are jointly organising a workshop in December 2025, focusing on the benefits of carbon trading and investment facilitation synergies.

This workshop aims to position Bangladesh to leverage climate finance mechanisms while maintaining ecological integrity.

Small and medium enterprise support

The government has initiated specialised support mechanisms for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), including marketplace development, direct bank-mediated foreign payment receipt systems, and enhanced support structures coordinated through the SME Foundation.

These initiatives recognise SMEs as vital engines of employment generation and innovation.

Overall, a cross-cutting theme of these reform measures is digitalisation and streamlining of processes through a limited number of access windows.

It is now important to ensure that online services are indeed conducted online (dissuading offline options) and encouraging usage of single windows where possible.

In recent months, NBR's national single window (NSW) has issued over 600,000 permits (most of them within 24 hours) and has saved an estimated 1.2 million physical visits to government offices!