Govt to launch online one-stop investor services: commerce minister

The government is working to make licensing and approval processes easier, faster and more integrated to ensure an investment-friendly environment, Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir said today.

A central online "one-stop window" system is being developed so investors do not need to visit multiple offices, he said.

The minister said factory approvals could not always be completed within 15 days due to safety, fire and environmental assessments.

To prevent delays, the government will issue provisional licences so investors can quickly start preliminary operations, according to a press release issued by the commerce ministry.

"We have already set an outline to reduce the approval process time," he said, adding that the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) will coordinate one-off joint inspections to eliminate repeated visits.

He made the remarks during a meeting with a Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI) delegation, led by JBCCI President Tarek Rafi Bhuiyan, at the ministry in Dhaka, where Commerce Secretary Md Ataur Rahman Khan was also present.

On electric vehicles (EVs), the minister noted that while the cabinet is positive about sustainable transport, the recent energy crisis highlighted the volatility of reliance on fossil fuels.

However, as Bangladesh is not fully ready for EVs, the government will prioritise plug-in hybrids for now.

JBCCI leaders welcomed the Bangladesh-Japan free trade agreement as a means of boosting bilateral cooperation.

Muktadir reaffirmed the government's commitment to Japanese investors, adding, "Our goal is to increase investors' confidence by reducing time, cost and complexity."