Govt discusses legal framework of Invest Bangladesh; next meeting to finalise structure

A meeting was held today (10 August) to discuss the legal framework and organisational structure of the proposed Invest Bangladesh Authority, which will integrate the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida), Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza) and Bangladesh Public-Private Partnership Authority (PPP Authority).

“The main discussion was about what the law and structure should look like. A second meeting will be held within a week to finalise the structure, Bida Executive Member and Head of Business Development Nahian Rahman Rochi told The Business Standard.

The new authority is expected to begin operations after the gazette is issued. A committee headed by the cabinet secretary is overseeing the integration of the three investment-related agencies.

The legal basis for the new authority was established through the passage of the Invest Bangladesh Bill 2026 in parliament, which provides for the integration of the three organisations’ functions.

Under the new law, investment- and industrial-zone-related activities will come under a unified institutional framework. Investment and business-related registrations, licences, approvals and clearances will also be provided through a single digital platform.

The government aims to reduce overlapping functions and coordination gaps among the existing agencies and provide domestic and foreign investors with faster, easier and more coordinated services. 

New authority to streamline investment services 

Once formed, the Invest Bangladesh Authority will take over the assets, records, agreements, liabilities and other matters of Bida, Beza and the PPP Authority, along with their officials and employees.

The statutory body will be headquartered in Dhaka and may, with government approval, establish branches nationwide and liaison offices abroad. It will have a chairman and seven members, with the chairman serving as chief executive.

Its functions will include identifying investment opportunities, promoting Bangladesh to domestic and foreign investors, removing investment barriers and coordinating with relevant ministries and agencies.

It will also advise on using unused public land and facilities productively, assist in appointing foreign officials and consultants in industrial zones, help draft investment agreements and develop an industrial information database.

The governing board will include relevant ministers, the principal secretary to the prime minister, Bangladesh Bank governor, relevant secretaries and private-sector representatives, with the prime minister or nominee as chair.

A single digital platform will provide registration, licences, approvals, clearances, visas and work permits, with relevant agencies connected to it. The government expects the unified structure to reduce administrative overlap and improve the investment climate.