Photo : Collected

DHAKA, July 16, 2026 (BSS) – The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), and the Public Private Partnership Authority (PPPA) are set to be unified.

To this end, the Invest Bangladesh Bill, 2026 was passed in Parliament on Wednesday. It will come into effect from the date determined by the government through notification in the official gazette. Around the same time, Invest Bangladesh is expected to be formally launched under its new identity, said a press release. 

Once the law comes into effect, the Invest Bangladesh Authority will operate as the country’s apex investment development agency under the Prime Minister’s Office.

Its objective is to make investor services simpler, faster and more coordinated, while bringing investment promotion, industrial zone management and public-private partnership functions under a single institutional framework.

“We thank the government for its clear focus on initiatives that can have a real impact on private investment attraction, investor support and policy advocacy. To bring in the investment Bangladesh needs for growth and job creation, investors need a true one-stop service framework. Such a unified investment agency has long been recommended by domestic and foreign investors. UNCTAD has also recommended this unification following its review of Bangladesh’s business climate reform progress. We believe Invest Bangladesh will be able to serve investors more effectively and present Bangladesh’s value proposition more strongly in a competitive global investment landscape,” said Ashik Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of BIDA and BEZA, and Chief Executive Officer of PPPA.

The passage of the Invest Bangladesh Bill is an important step in implementing the government’s 180-day plan, announced in March 2026, to improve the business-enabling environment. It will strengthen the investment service framework to support higher domestic and foreign investment, faster industrialisation, expanded public-private partnerships and job creation.

Under the new authority, investment-related approvals, registration, import-export processes, incentives, industrial zone development and relevant government services will be coordinated more effectively. 

The law also creates the scope for single window clearance, one-stop services, digitalisation of approval and licensing processes, and the integration of investment and business-related services into a single digital platform.

Key features of the Invest Bangladesh Bill include provisions to bring declared industrial areas, economic zones and free trade zones under an integrated framework; define procedures and timelines for licences, approvals and service delivery; clarify the approval framework for PPP projects; enable simplified approval of small PPP projects through relevant ministries or divisions; allow unused government land, establishments, shares and rights to be used for productive purposes; and bring all investment and business-related services onto a single digital platform.

The bill will help reduce policy inconsistencies in investment development, avoid duplication and overlap across agencies, and strengthen coordination across related functions. It creates a pathway for an integrated investment management framework aligned with international standards and global best practices.

Once the Invest Bangladesh Bill comes into effect as law, the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Act, 2016, the Bangladesh Economic Zones Act, 2010, the Public Private Partnership Act, 2015, and the One Stop Service Act, 2018 will be repealed, consolidating the relevant mandates under Invest Bangladesh.