Business Desk — In a major institutional overhaul aimed at attracting foreign and domestic investment while improving the ease of doing business, the government of Bangladesh is merging three key investment promotion agencies into a single unified entity named ‘Invest Bangladesh’.
The decision follows the passage of the Invest Bangladesh Bill, 2026 in Parliament on Wednesday.
The new legislation effectively dissolves the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), and the Public-Private Partnership Authority (PPPA), bringing their functions under one centralized body.
According to a press release issued on Thursday, the law will come into force on a date specified by the government through an official gazette notification.
Once operational, Invest Bangladesh will function as the country’s central investment promotion agency directly under the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
A Unified Platform for Faster Clearances
Under the new regulatory framework, investment promotion, economic zone management, and public-private partnership (PPP) initiatives will be consolidated under one roof.
The consolidation aims to eliminate bureaucratic delays, providing local and international investors with faster, simplified, and synchronized access to approvals, registrations, licenses, incentives, and government services.
The unified agency will manage:
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Investment approvals and company registrations
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Import and export permits
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Incentive distribution and management
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Industrial zone development and allocation
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Comprehensive government coordination for investors
Additionally, the integration will enable full implementation of a Single Window Clearance system, enhanced One-Stop Services (OSS), and end-to-end digitalization of all licensing and approval workflows.
Responding to Investor Demands
For years, domestic and foreign business groups have advocated for a single, streamlined investment authority to remove overlapping procedures among BIDA, BEZA, and PPPA.
Welcoming the passage of the bill, Ashik Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of BIDA and BEZA and Chief Executive Officer of PPPA, highlighted the importance of the reform for the nation’s economic future.
“To attract the necessary investment for high economic growth and job creation, ensuring fast and efficient services for investors is vital. Both local and foreign investors have long been demanding the creation of an integrated investment agency,” said Ashik Chowdhury.
A Strategic Shift for Economic Growth
The creation of Invest Bangladesh marks one of the most significant administrative reforms in the country’s economic governance in recent years.
By dismantling institutional silos and digitizing regulatory pathways, the government hopes to position Bangladesh as a competitive investment hub in South Asia, driving employment and long-term economic prosperity.