Invest Bangladesh, the newly formed apex investment promotion agency, has officially begun operations following the publication of a gazette notification under the Invest Bangladesh Act, 2026. This new authority consolidates the functions of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), and Public-Private Partnership Authority (PPPA) into a single institution. Operating under the Prime Minister's Office, Invest Bangladesh aims to provide a unified platform for investment facilitation, policy coordination, economic zone development, and public-private partnerships.
The formation of Invest Bangladesh is designed to create a more coordinated and predictable investment environment in Bangladesh. By merging these three authorities, the government seeks to simplify the investor journey, offering domestic and foreign investors a single point of access to investment opportunities, approvals, services, and facilities across the country. The new agency will continue to operate BanglaBiz, the single digital platform for investment services, and is working towards implementing a 14-day business licensing framework.
Invest Bangladesh Chairman Ashik Chowdhury highlighted the significance of this merger, stating, 'This is more than an institutional merger. It is about organising the government more effectively around the investor. By uniting our capabilities, we aim to provide clearer accountability and more coordinated support across the investment journey. We will continue to respect our heritage while forging new chapters as a bigger and stronger team.'
FAQs
Q: What is the primary objective of Invest Bangladesh? A: The primary objective of Invest Bangladesh is to create a unified and streamlined investment environment by merging the functions of BIDA, BEZA, and PPPA. This aims to provide clearer accountability, coordinated support, and a single point of access for investors.
Q: How will Invest Bangladesh benefit investors? A: Investors will benefit from more coordinated access to approvals, registrations, import-export services, incentives, industrial zones, and other government services. The agency will also facilitate the digitisation of investment and business services through a single digital platform.
Q: What happens to the existing employees of BIDA, BEZA, and PPPA? A: Regular officers and employees of BIDA, BEZA, and PPPA will be absorbed into Invest Bangladesh 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.
Q: What are the key features of the Invest Bangladesh Act, 2026? A: The Invest Bangladesh Act, 2026 provides an integrated framework covering economic zones, free-trade zones, and other declared industrial areas. It enables underused government land, facilities, shares, and rights to be put to productive use and provides clearer approval frameworks for public-private partnership projects.
