The interim government has reported tangible progress in streamlining investment and trade processes through improved inter-agency coordination and faster decision-making, officials said on Thursday.

The progress was reviewed at the 7th meeting of the Investment Coordination Committee held at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Tejgaon, where senior policymakers assessed ongoing reforms aimed at reducing bottlenecks, digitising services and accelerating investment execution.

“Process improvements can significantly strengthen our competitiveness and directly impact livelihoods,” said Lutfey Siddiqi, Special Envoy of the Chief Adviser and Chair of the committee.

“While external factors like tariffs and market access are beyond our control, we have full control over our own policies and procedures. Efficiency gains here are immediate and substantial,” he said.

The meeting was attended by Executive Chairman of BIDA, BEZA and the PPP Authority Ashik Chowdhury; Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan Mansur; Chittagong Port Authority Chairman Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman; and secretaries and heads of key ministries and agencies.


Key Reform Initiatives


Among the major proposals discussed were a tenfold increase in pre-arrival customs clearance, a unified online business start-up package, 24-hour digital payment services at Chittagong Port, and a fully automated bond management system.

Officials also agreed to establish a multi-agency mechanism to ensure that approved investment proposals are translated into actual investments.

The committee reviewed several recent coordination successes. The National Single Window (NSW), launched by the National Board of Revenue after years of inter-ministerial delays, has already eliminated an estimated 1.2 million physical visits to government offices within a few months.

Automated truck entry systems at Chittagong Port have reduced entry times by at least 90%, while digital tracking and cashless payment systems have improved transparency and efficiency.

Investment promotion agencies—BIDA, BEZA, BEPZA and the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority—are now jointly monitoring investment pipelines. Officials reported a record number of land lease agreements, with recent outreach missions to China, Turkey and South Korea resulting in confirmed investment activations.


Addressing Implementation Gaps


The committee, however, noted persistent challenges, including the continuation of parallel offline processes in some offices despite the availability of digital systems, largely due to weak monitoring of system usage and user experience.

Siddiqi cited the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) as a best-practice example, highlighting its fully digital application and payment system supported by on-site help desks. The Chittagong Port Authority has introduced a similar “agent desk” to assist users transitioning to online platforms, Chairman Moniruzzaman said.


Next Milestones


Immediate priorities include launching the first version of the Bangladesh Business Portal by BIDA, developed in collaboration with multiple ministries and city corporations, and piloting the Automated Risk Management System (ARMS) at Chittagong Customs House to reduce physical cargo inspections.

Referring to recent stakeholder meetings at Chittagong Customs House, Siddiqi underscored the urgency of expanding pre-arrival clearance.

“The rules are already in place. What is missing is disciplined implementation,” he said, noting that less than 5% of cargo is currently pre-cleared, against a target of over 50%.

Participants praised the committee’s data-driven and action-oriented approach, describing it as a “stylistic reform” in government operations that prioritises execution and measurable outcomes.

The meeting concluded with appreciation for the collaborative approach and the concrete results achieved so far.