Invest Bangladesh drafts policy to transfer loss-making firms, unused assets

Invest Bangladesh has drafted a policy to bring loss-making, non-operational and closed state-owned industrial and commercial enterprises, along with their unused land and facilities, under new investment through transparent and competitive processes.

Titled “Policy on the Transfer of State-Owned Industrial or Commercial Enterprises or Their Unused Land or Facilities, Transfer of Shares and Ownership Interests, or Strategic Divestiture”, the draft was prepared under Section 48 of the Invest Bangladesh Act, 2026 (Act No. 104 of 2026).

The authority today (10 September) invited comments from relevant stakeholders on the proposed framework for transferring such enterprises, shares and ownership interests, or pursuing strategic divestment. 

The proposed policy aims to bring distressed and unused state assets back into productive economic use, increase industrial production, attract domestic and foreign investment, and create employment opportunities.

It provides for due diligence and valuation of enterprises and assets, determining appropriate transaction structures, attracting investors and selecting them through transparent and competitive processes. It also seeks to protect the public interest and ensure fair economic value for state assets.

The draft includes mechanisms for implementing and monitoring transactions after they are completed.

Invest Bangladesh consulted with public- and private-sector stakeholders on 12 July as part of the drafting process. The Ministry of Industries subsequently invited comments on 18 August, and relevant feedback was incorporated into the draft where considered appropriate.

The authority has now sought comments from ministries and divisions, government departments and agencies, state-owned enterprises, business and industry associations, domestic and foreign investors, financial institutions, professionals, experts and other stakeholders.

Stakeholders have been asked to submit their comments and recommendations in Bangla using the prescribed template. They must send a scanned copy of the signed comments along with an editable Word file to [email protected] by 17 September, with the email subject line “Comments on Strategic_Divestiture Policy”.

New investment authority

Operating under the Prime Minister’s Office, Invest Bangladesh was formed through the merger of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida), Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Bepza) and Public-Private Partnership Authority (PPPA).

The authority formally began operations on 23 August, its first working day, with the unveiling of a new logo. It is set to serve as the country’s apex investment promotion agency.