The interim government has reported noticeable progress in improving Bangladesh’s investment and trade environment, highlighting better coordination among agencies and quicker decision-making as key factors enhancing economic competitiveness.
These developments were reviewed at the 7th meeting of the Investment Coordination Committee, where senior officials assessed ongoing reforms aimed at cutting red tape, expanding digital services and ensuring faster implementation of approved investments.
The meeting was held on Thursday at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Tejgaon of Dhaka, said the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing on Friday afternoon.
Special Envoy to the Chief Adviser Lutfey Siddiqi, who chairs the committee, said internal efficiency remains the government’s most powerful lever for strengthening competitiveness.
“External factors like tariffs or market access are often beyond our control, but we have full authority over how our own systems function,” Siddiqi said. “Improvements in processes deliver immediate and visible benefits, including better outcomes for people’s livelihoods.”
The session was attended by Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) and PPP Authority Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury; Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan Mansur; Chattogram Port Authority Chairman Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman; along with senior officials from key ministries and agencies, according to the Chief Adviser’s press wing.
At the meeting, officials discussed a series of reform measures, including expanding pre-arrival customs clearance by ten times, introducing a single online business registration package, launching round-the-clock digital payment facilities at Chattogram Port, and implementing a fully automated bond management system.
A coordinated, multi-agency framework was also agreed upon to ensure that investment approvals are converted into actual project execution.
The committee reviewed several recent coordination achievements. The National Single Window (NSW), rolled out by the National Board of Revenue after prolonged delays, has already eliminated an estimated 1.2 million in-person visits to government offices within months of its launch.
Meanwhile, automated truck entry systems at Chattogram Port have cut entry times by at least 90 per cent, while cashless payments and digital tracking have improved transparency and efficiency.
Investment promotion agencies, including BIDA, BEZA, BEPZA and the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority, are now jointly overseeing investment pipelines. Officials noted a record number of land lease agreements, with recent missions to China, Turkey and South Korea translating into confirmed investment commitments.
Despite progress, the committee also acknowledged persistent weaknesses in implementation, particularly the continued use of offline processes alongside digital systems in some offices.
Siddiqi cited the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) as a model institution, noting its fully digital application and payment system supported by on-site help desks.
Chattogram Port Authority Chairman Moniruzzaman said a similar “agent desk” has been introduced at the port to assist users shifting to online platforms.
Among the immediate priorities is the rollout of the first phase of the Bangladesh Business Portal by BIDA, developed in coordination with multiple ministries and city corporations. A pilot of the Automated Risk Management System (ARMS) is also set to begin at Chattogram Customs House to reduce physical inspections of cargo.
Referring to recent consultations with stakeholders, Siddiqi emphasised the need to scale up pre-arrival clearance.
“Less than five per cent of cargo is currently pre-cleared, even though the rules allow for much higher levels,” he said. “That figure should exceed 50 per cent. The gap is not policy; it is enforcement,” Siddiqi added.
Participants described the committee’s data-driven and results-focused approach as a shift in governance culture, praising its emphasis on accountability and execution.
The meeting concluded with officials expressing satisfaction over the collaborative model and the measurable progress achieved so far.
