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DHAKA, March 09, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Bank (BB) has simplified share transfers and capital repatriation for non-resident investors in private and unlisted public limited companies. 

The new master circular aims to enhance transparency and predictability within the investment exit process, said a BB press release today.

This comprehensive reform package, finalized on November 19 by a joint committee of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and the central bank, seeks to streamline the exit route for foreign venture capital and equity investors while maintaining essential regulatory safeguards.

A cornerstone of the new directive is the significant empowerment of Authorized Dealer (AD) banks. Under the updated guidelines, these banks are now permitted to process a vast majority of share transfers and repatriation requests without requiring prior approval from the central bank.

The reform introduces specific tiers for transaction processing to facilitate faster exits.

According to the circular, up to Tk 1 crore processed via joint declaration by buyer and seller, no independent valuation required and up to Tk 100 crore processed directly by AD banks using prescribed valuation methods.

For transactions involving unlisted entities, AD banks are now authorized to execute transfers based on the Net Asset Value (NAV) derived from audited financial statements. This shift toward bank-level autonomy is expected to drastically reduce the administrative burden on foreign firms operating in Bangladesh.

To ensure the predictability of the exit process, Bangladesh Bank has introduced a fast-track service delivery schedule. 

 As per the circular, the entire process of share transfer completion must be finalized within 45 days of receiving a complete documentation set and the actual remittance of sales proceeds to the investor’s home country must be completed within 5 working days of the application.

Following the completion of these transactions, AD banks must submit a formal report to Bangladesh Bank within 14 days for regulatory record-keeping.

Complementing these efficiency gains, the circular provides refined clarity on asset valuation. The central bank has upheld three approved methodologies: Net Asset Value (NAV), Market Value, and Discounted Cash Flow (DCF).

To maintain compliance and accuracy, every AD bank is required to form a mandatory internal review committee, led by senior management, to scrutinize valuation and repatriation applications.

The reform was spearheaded by the "Capital Repatriation Committee," led by BIDA Executive Member Nahian Rahman Rochi. This initiative reflects a broader strategic shift toward improving the ease of doing business by addressing long-standing investor "pain points" regarding the repatriation of capital.

BIDA Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury emphasized that securing investor confidence during the exit phase is as vital as the entry phase.

"A favorable environment for foreign investment is only created when investors can move forward with confidence at every stage of investment. Bangladesh is moving towards that goal by reducing approval complexities, providing opportunities to easily return sales proceeds, simplifying valuation processes, and easing the steps for exiting an investment. Such initiatives are the core foundation for building a positive and high-trust environment for foreign investment," he added.

By modernizing these protocols, Bangladesh aims to bolster its global investment standing and foster a more robust, transparent climate for international capital.