The Bangladesh government is planning to introduce provisional licences that would allow investors to begin preliminary project activities while completing the remaining regulatory formalities, Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir announced on Sunday.
The minister made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with a delegation from the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI), led by its President Tareq Rafi Bhuiyan, at the Ministry of Commerce in Dhaka.
Muktadir said the proposed provisional licensing system is aimed at reducing delays in investment projects by enabling investors to commence essential on-site work while outstanding approvals are being processed. He noted that the government is working to make the licensing and approval framework more streamlined, efficient and integrated so that investors no longer have to navigate multiple government offices to obtain necessary clearances.
As part of the reform agenda, the government is also developing a centralised online one-stop investment service that will integrate licensing and approval procedures through a single digital platform. The initiative is intended to provide investors with access to all required approvals and government services through a unified portal.
The minister cautioned that completing all approvals within 15 days may not always be possible, as certain procedures require mandatory inspections related to safety, risk management, fire protection and environmental compliance. He emphasised that such inspections remain essential despite efforts to simplify and accelerate the investment process.
Muktadir said the government has prepared a roadmap to shorten approval timelines, with particular attention being given to sector-specific licensing requirements.
He noted that licensing needs differ considerably across industries, pointing out that the regulatory requirements for a power generation project are significantly different from those for a textile manufacturing facility.
To reduce administrative burdens on investors, the minister announced that the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) will coordinate factory inspections through a unified mechanism. Under the proposed system, BIDA will schedule inspection dates and bring together all relevant government agencies for a single joint inspection, eliminating the need for multiple separate visits.
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