The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) is set to unveil a comprehensive digital platform called the Bangladesh Business Portal, aimed at consolidating all trade and investment-related services into a single, user-friendly interface. This initiative seeks to streamline the process for investors by integrating existing Government systems and providing a one-stop solution.
During the 3rd meeting of Bida’s Governing Board held on 13th April, chaired by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, decisions were made to accelerate the digital transformation of related services. According to the meeting, services currently available both online and offline must be fully digitised within one month, while those still manual will have three months to transition to digital formats. An official directive from the Chief Adviser’s Office is anticipated soon to enforce these timelines.
Bida’s Executive Chairman, Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, highlighted ongoing challenges with the current systems. He noted that many services claimed to be digital are still manual, requiring physical visits to Government offices, which frustrates investors. “When engaging with investors, the main complaints are about the inconsistency in digital services and the need to visit multiple websites or offices for different services,” he explained. The new portal aims to address this by providing a single login and guiding users to the relevant services seamlessly.
Mahmud emphasised that the scattered nature of Government platforms complicates business procedures. Currently, obtaining a trade license involves multiple visits: one to the Office of the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms, another to Bepza’s website, and yet another to Biza’s portal. Such fragmentation is particularly problematic for foreign investors unfamiliar with local procedures. The unified platform will allow users to access multiple services from one place, with the system directing them appropriately based on their needs.
Nahian Rahman Rochi, Bida’s Head of Business Development, assured that efforts are in progress to rapidly develop and enhance the OSS platform. He pointed out that most countries, including Singapore, India, and Vietnam, have similar single-window systems for investment facilitation, which significantly ease the process for investors.
The One Stop Service Act of 2018 mandates that agencies such as Bida, Beza, Bepza, the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority, and the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation provide integrated services. However, these agencies currently operate their services independently, leading to confusion among users about where to seek specific assistance. The new portal aims to eliminate such ambiguities by offering a unified access point.
Bida launched its own OSS platform in 2019, offering 134 services from 44 agencies. Despite this, many key services from other Government bodies remain unavailable through the platform even after more than six years. To further improve the system, the Finance Ministry has suggested integrating the Bangladesh Business Portal with the National Board of Revenue’s (NBR) National Single Window (NSW) system.
In addition, Bida has proposed that representatives from essential ministries, such as the NBR, Department of Environment, and Bangladesh Bank, be stationed at Bida’s office to provide real-time assistance and guidance to investors, especially those requiring frequent interactions with multiple agencies.
This initiative marks a significant step toward making Bangladesh’s investment climate more efficient and investor-friendly, aligning with global best practices and easing the complexities faced by both local and foreign entrepreneurs.
