Foreign investors may soon face fewer hurdles in withdrawing their capital from Bangladesh, as a national committee reviewing repatriation rules has proposed major changes, the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority said Wednesday.
The reform package centres on three major shifts, said the press release. It proposes a sharp increase in repatriation approval thresholds, allowing authorised dealer banks to process most cases without central bank approval. It also introduces strict, time-bound service level agreements for both commercial banks and Bangladesh Bank and calls for a full overhaul of valuation and documentation requirements to align with global standards. A new Repatriation Review Committee with a 30-day mandate for resolving complex cases has also been proposed.
The national committee which includes representatives from Bangladesh Bank, BIDA, the United Nations Development Programme and the private sector finalised these recommendations after several rounds of technical discussions and consultations with valuation experts, merchant banks, commercial banks and tax lawyers. The committee was formed on 29 September to review long-standing bottlenecks foreign investors face when repatriating sale proceeds.
BIDA Executive Member Nahian Rahman Rochi, who heads the committee, presented the recommendations on 18 November to Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur, BIDA Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury and senior central bank officials.
Beyond the immediate reforms, the roadmap calls for a specialised guideline and valuation framework for high-growth companies and startups, targeted for completion by the first quarter of 2026. It further recommends establishing a national valuation certification authority to license and supervise valuation firms. Capacity-building programmes for authorized dealer banks and central bank officials through specialized training and additional staffing have also been advised.
“Creating an efficient and investor-friendly financial ecosystem is essential for Bangladesh’s competitiveness,” Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur said after receiving the proposals. He said reducing delays and improving transparency will help maintain Bangladesh’s reputation as a reliable investment destination.
BIDA Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury said the reforms offer clarity, speed and predictability in repatriation, supporting Bangladesh’s goal of strengthening its position as a trusted investment hub. He thanked committee members for their “dedication and collaborative efforts” in finalising the reforms within a short period.
Once implemented, the reforms are expected to significantly improve the ease, speed and certainty of foreign investors’ capital repatriation, making Bangladesh more attractive for long-term investment.
