DHAKA, Aug 03, 2026 (BSS) - A high-powered Investment Proposal Assessment Committee (IPAC) has been proposed to oversee the evaluation and approval of investment proposals involving land, infrastructure, shares, and strategic asset sales of the country's state-owned industrial and commercial enterprises.

The committee has been proposed under the "Draft Policy on Transfer of Land, Infrastructure, Shares and Strategic Sale of Assets Belonging to State-owned Industrial or Commercial Enterprises, 2026," which aims to establish a transparent, competitive, and accountable framework for attracting private investment into state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

The proposed policy covers strategic investment in enterprises under several state-owned corporations, including the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC), Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation (BSFIC), Bangladesh Textile Mills Corporation (BTMC),
Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC), and Bangladesh Steel and Engineering Corporation (BSEC).

Industries Secretary Abdun Naser Khan confirmed the matter while talking to BSS, saying the government is formulating the comprehensive policy to ensure transparent, accountable, and investment-friendly management of state-owned industrial and commercial enterprises
through the transfer of land, infrastructure, shares, and strategic sale of assets.

To this end, he said, a stakeholder meeting was held recently to gather opinions and recommendations on the draft policy before it is finalized, with the objective of establishing a clear and uniform framework for managing underutilized state assets.

Representatives from the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Public-Private Partnership Authority (PPPA), Finance Division, Cabinet Division, Planning Commission, and other relevant ministries and agencies, along with the heads of state-owned corporations under the Ministry of Industries, took part in the meeting.

Abdun Naser Khan said the government will incorporate stakeholders' recommendations into the proposed policy on the transfer of land, infrastructure, shares, and strategic sale of assets belonging to state-owned industrial and commercial enterprises to make it more transparent, effective, and investment-friendly.

He noted that the meeting was highly productive, with representatives from key government agencies providing valuable opinions on the draft policy.

"We have received important recommendations from the stakeholders. The suggestions which seem appropriate will be reviewed carefully and incorporated before the policy is finalized," he said.

The industries secretary said the policy will bring greater transparency and accountability to the transfer process while creating opportunities to attract domestic and foreign investment through the productive use of idle or underutilized assets.

He said the draft had been prepared following extensive consultations and international best practices to ensure that state assets are utilized in a manner that supports industrialization, employment generation, and sustainable economic growth.

Abdun Naser Khan said the government wants to ensure that every provision of the policy reflects the views of all stakeholders.

"Constructive recommendations from the consultation are being incorporated so that the policy becomes practical, transparent, and effective," he added.

According to the draft policy, the IPAC will be chaired by the Chairman of the Invest Bangladesh Authority and comprise senior representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, and the Prime Minister's Office.

The committee will serve as the central body for reviewing investment proposals submitted by ministries, divisions, and state-owned corporations.

It will assess the commercial viability of projects, evaluate their socio-economic impacts, and determine whether the proposed transactions are in the public interest.

The IPAC will also recommend the appointment of strategic advisors for complex transactions, oversee competitive investor selection processes, and submit its recommendations to the government for final approval.

Transactions involving high-value or complex assets will require clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) before implementation.

Under the proposed framework, investment opportunities will be offered through transparent bidding processes, with invitations for expressions of interest to be published in both Bangla and English newspapers, as well as in international media where necessary.

The draft policy outlines a four-stage implementation process, beginning with the identification of eligible assets by the relevant authorities, followed by IPAC's assessment, appointment of advisors and competitive bidding, and finally government approval and execution of agreements.

According to the implementation roadmap, the process from the submission of an investment proposal to the signing of the final agreement is expected to take around 77 working days, excluding the time required for statutory approvals.