Bangladesh is moving to simplify trade licensing through a single online portal while also planning joint regulatory inspections and easier renewal of foreign work permits to reduce the time, cost and administrative burden of doing business.
Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir outlined the measures on Saturday at the first meeting of the National Task Force on Deregulation and Business Facilitation at the Finance Division in Dhaka.
Trade licences are now issued separately by union parishads, municipalities and city corporations. Under the proposed system, businesses would submit documents, apply and pay fees through one portal and receive licences remotely.
The government is also considering longer licence tenures and replacing the existing trade licence with a “Business Registration Certificate” or a similar document.
Another planned reform would combine inspections by multiple agencies. Under a system led by Invest Bangladesh, checks covering building safety, fire safety, environmental compliance and other areas would be carried out jointly on a pre-scheduled day instead of through repeated visits by separate agencies.
The government has initially identified five priority sectors where overlapping approvals, permits and licences are being reviewed. The effort would later be expanded to other sectors.
Muktadir also called for a simpler process for renewing work permits and security clearances for foreign employees. He said delays should be reduced through coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs where foreign workers are employed by legally registered organisations that have submitted the required documents.
The task force reviewed progress on reducing unnecessary regulation, simplifying administrative procedures and improving the investment environment.
The meeting was chaired by Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury. Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo,
Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman and Invest Bangladesh Chairman Ashik Chowdhury were among the task-force members present.
Senior officials from the National Board of Revenue, Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission, Finance Division, Ministry of Shipping, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms also attended.
If implemented, the measures would reduce repeat inspections, shorten approval times and lower compliance costs for businesses and investors.
