The government has formed a 22-member national taskforce to streamline regulations and improve the ease of doing business, aiming to remove unnecessary approvals, licences and administrative bottlenecks that hinder investment.
A cabinet division notification issued on Sunday said the taskforce, chaired by the finance and planning minister, will identify and simplify complex procedures across sectors.
The body includes ministers of environment, industry, commerce and law, alongside advisers to key ministries such as finance, ICT and science. Top officials, including the central bank governor, cabinet secretary, and the executive chairman of the investment promotion agency, are also members.
Leaders of major business bodies — including FBCCI, DCCI, MCCI, BGMEA and BKMEA — have been included to ensure private sector input.
The taskforce will approve reform roadmaps and monitor implementation progress, with a focus on simplifying processes related to licences, permits, taxes, customs, banking, capital markets, construction, environment and local services.
It will also provide policy guidance on introducing a single-window system, service level agreements (SLAs), deemed or automatic approvals, and online tracking mechanisms.
The notification said the body will help resolve inter-ministerial complexities and recommend amendments to laws, rules and administrative orders where needed.
A dedicated website will be developed under the proposed Invest Bangladesh authority to track investor complaints, irregularities and delays. Issues may be escalated to the taskforce for resolution.
The body will review progress every three months and may co-opt new members if required. The finance division will provide secretarial support.
Creative economy steering committee formed
In a parallel move, the government has constituted a 27-member national steering committee to promote the country’s creative economy and coordinate activities across related sectors.
The committee, also chaired by the finance and planning minister, includes ministers and senior officials from culture, industry, commerce, housing, ICT, tourism, youth and other relevant ministries.
Representatives from organisations such as BSCIC, Brac, HSBC Bangladesh, Bengal Foundation and Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology have been included, alongside noted fashion designer Bibi Russell as a sector specialist.
According to the notification, the committee will approve sector-wise roadmaps, oversee implementation and ensure coordination among ministries and agencies.
It will also review the work of sub-sector committees and assess progress on a quarterly basis.
Like the business reform taskforce, the committee can co-opt members when necessary and will receive secretarial support from the finance division.