Dhaka: Invest Bangladesh, the country's new apex investment promotion agency, commenced its operations today, following the official gazette notification under the Invest Bangladesh Act, 2026. This marks a significant transition in the investment landscape of Bangladesh as the new authority merges the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), and Public-Private Partnership Authority (PPPA) into a single entity to streamline investment facilitation, policy coordination, economic zone development, and public-private partnership functions.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the newly established agency, operating under the Prime Minister's Office, unveiled a new brand identity, signifying a unified national investment platform. Invest Bangladesh Chairman Ashik Chowdhury emphasized that the merger is designed to organize the government more effectively around the needs of investors, aiming to provide clearer accountability and a more coordinated support system throughout the investment journey.
The agency is poised to offer both domestic and foreign investors a single point of access to investment opportunities, approvals, services, and facilities throughout Bangladesh. The Invest Bangladesh Act, 2026, establishes an integrated framework that encompasses economic zones, free-trade zones, and other declared industrial areas, optimizing the use of underutilized government land, facilities, shares, and rights for productive purposes.
Additionally, the Act introduces clearer approval frameworks for public-private partnership projects, including simplified procedures for smaller PPP projects. Invest Bangladesh is set to facilitate the digitization of investment and business services through a single digital platform, continuing to operate BanglaBiz, the country's digital platform for investment services, which provides online and time-bound access to business licenses and permits.
Invest Bangladesh is also working towards implementing a 14-day business licensing framework, part of the government's efforts to create a faster and more predictable business environment. As the 180-day period for implementing the government's commitments made in March approaches its conclusion, Invest Bangladesh plans to release a progress report on its achievements before the period ends.
Investors are anticipated to benefit from a more coordinated approach to approvals, registrations, import-export services, incentives, industrial zones, and other government services. While economic zones remain a priority due to their advantages in utilities and transport connectivity, Invest Bangladesh will also support projects outside these zones, utilizing unused state assets according to project needs and investor requirements.
The merger will not disrupt existing investor services. Instead, the institutional integration aims to create a single front office and provide more coordinated support throughout the investment lifecycle. Regular officers and employees of BIDA, BEZA, and PPPA will be absorbed into Invest Bangladesh in equivalent positions, ensuring continuity of service and protection of existing benefits. Consultants, outsourced personnel, and daily-wage workers will continue under their current contracts or orders.
The formation of Invest Bangladesh is an initiative to simplify the investor journey and foster a more coordinated and predictable investment environment in the country.