The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) has expanded its online One-Stop Service (OSS) platform by integrating five new services from the Directorate of Registration, bringing the total number of available services to 142 across 47 government agencies.
The newly launched services encompass land purchase deeds, lease deeds, agreement deeds, advance (bayna) deeds, and power of attorney deeds along with certified copies of these documents.
During the launch event, Bida’s Executive Chairman, Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, emphasized that the effectiveness of digital service delivery hinges on the phasing out of manual procedures within government institutions. He also highlighted the need to raise awareness among service users, as current interest in digital platforms remains limited.
A pilot project is scheduled for later this year, with plans to fully digitize commercial land registration processes starting December 16. Over the next one and a half years, entrepreneurs are expected to be able to access all business-related services through a unified digital platform, according to Bida officials.
ASM Saleh Ahmed, senior secretary at the Ministry of Land, noted that the ministry has already digitized many of its services and is working toward completing commercial land mutations within a week’s time. Meanwhile, Md Liakat Ali Molla, secretary of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, underscored the importance of transparency in service delivery, advocating for clear communication of service fees to prevent harassment and discourage middlemen.
While industry leaders applauded the digital initiatives, concerns about ongoing bureaucratic challenges were voiced. Mohammed Amirul Haque, Managing Director of Premier Cement Mills, pointed out that unresolved land-related bottlenecks continue to hinder progress. He expressed skepticism about the initiative’s success, citing the reluctance of land offices to relinquish lucrative responsibilities that often lead to corruption.
Taskeen Ahmed, President of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), welcomed the move, citing the difficulties investors face in obtaining registration for commercial land needed for industrial projects. He expressed hope that the digital platform would streamline procedures, reduce delays, and promote transparency.
Former Build Chairperson Asif Ibrahim emphasized that digitizing Bida is crucial for boosting investment, simplifying the business environment, and increasing Bangladesh’s competitiveness globally. He outlined a phased approach, envisioning short-term automation, medium-term integration of artificial intelligence and advanced systems, and long-term adoption of emerging technologies. Ibrahim highlighted that such comprehensive reforms could drastically reduce costs, minimize bureaucratic delays, and align Bangladesh with international standards seen in countries like Singapore and India.
However, he noted that overcoming institutional resistance, bridging ICT and legal gaps, and ensuring robust cybersecurity remain significant hurdles to progress. With continued commitment, Ibrahim believes Bida has the potential to evolve into a top-tier digital agency that supports Bangladesh’s economic growth ambitions.
The event was attended by Bida officials including Shah Mohammad Mahbub, Jiban Krishna Saha Roy (Director General), and Abu Mohammad Nurul Hayat Tutul (Deputy Director).
