Bangladesh is preparing a major overhaul of its business registration system and state-owned industries, with the government planning a one-stop clearance mechanism for investors, Commerce, Industries and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir said Thursday.
Speaking at the inauguration of the 1st International Dhaka Industrial Packaging Expo 2026 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre, the minister said the current licensing process is overly complex, requiring entrepreneurs to secure 25 to 26 different approvals from the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).
“We are working to introduce a provisional clearance system so investors can complete all essential approvals through a single streamlined process,” he said.
Muktadir also pointed to structural inefficiencies weighing on the economy, noting that logistics costs in Bangladesh stand at around 16 percent of GDP—well above the global average of 10 percent.
He said the government is bringing in experienced international operators to help improve port efficiency and reduce costs.
As the country transitions toward developing country status, the minister said temporary fixes will no longer be enough. “We need long-term structural reforms,” he said.
On state-owned enterprises, he acknowledged that many industrial units under the Ministries of Industries and Textiles and Jute have remained idle or dependent on subsidies for years.
Around 40 such units fall under the Industries Ministry, while about 50 are under the textiles and jute sector.
The government, he said, plans to bring in private investment within the next one to two years, including converting underused sugar mills into industrial parks and multi-purpose production hubs.
Calling the packaging sector a potential export driver, the minister urged businesses to expand into global markets, assuring policy and institutional support. “The industry itself must take the lead in driving growth,” he added.
Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Vice-Chairman Mohammad Hasan Arif said packaging is increasingly central to export diversification and accessing new international markets.
Industry stakeholders at the event highlighted the strength of the domestic plastics sector, which has more than 6,000 production units, employs about 1.5 million people, meets over 80 percent of domestic demand, and includes around 450 export-oriented factories.
Organised by Exponet Exhibition Private Limited, the expo brings together entrepreneurs, investors and technology providers to promote industrial expansion and innovation.